Desktop Commander MCP Server: Install & Setup

Install Desktop Commander in Claude Code

Claude Code

claude mcp add desktop-commander -- npx -y @wonderwhy-er/desktop-commander

mcp.json (Claude Desktop, Cursor, VS Code, Windsurf)

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "desktop-commander": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@wonderwhy-er/desktop-commander"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Frequently asked questions

What does the Desktop Commander MCP server do?

Manage and execute programs, and read, write, search and edit code and text files.

Is the Desktop Commander MCP server free?

Yes, most likely. Open source and no paid account or API key is mentioned in the listing. Check the provider for current pricing.

Does Desktop Commander run locally or remotely?

Local. Runs on your machine (stdio). You install it with npx, uvx, Docker or from source.

How do I add Desktop Commander to Claude Code?

Run: claude mcp add desktop-commander -- npx -y @wonderwhy-er/desktop-commander

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