Desktop Commander MCP Server: Setup for Claude, Cursor and Other Apps

• Starts a program or terminal command and waits for it to be ready

  Runs a command or program on your computer. It notices when the program is ready for input, so the assistant can keep talking to it.

  Try: “Start a Python shell and check my pandas version.”

  Runs code · start_process

• Sends input to a running program

  Types into a program that is already running, such as a database shell or an SSH session, and returns what it replies.

  Try: “Run SELECT count(*) FROM users in the open psql session.”

  Runs code · interact_with_process

• Reads new output from a running program

  Fetches output from a running process, with offset and length controls so long logs do not flood the chat.

  Try: “Show the latest output from the dev server.”

  Runs code · read_process_output

• Reads a file, PDF or spreadsheet, or a web address

  Reads text files, Excel files, PDFs and URLs, with line or page controls. A negative offset reads from the end, like tail.

  Try: “Read the last 100 lines of server.log.”

  Files · read_file

• Reads several files at once

  Returns the contents of many files in one call.

  Try: “Read package.json and tsconfig.json together.”

  Files · read_multiple_files

• Lists the files in a folder and its subfolders

  Returns a recursive listing, two levels deep by default, with protection against huge folders.

  Try: “What is in my Documents folder, two levels down?”

  Files · list_directory

• Shows details about a file or folder

  Returns metadata such as size and dates, and sheet information for Excel files.

  Try: “How big is report.xlsx and what sheets does it have?”

  Files · get_file_info

• Searches files by name or by what is inside them

  Starts a streaming search over file names or contents, including inside Excel files. Results come back page by page.

  Try: “Find every file under src that mentions API_KEY.”

  Files · start_search

• Gets the next page of a running search

  Returns more results from a search that is still running, using an offset.

  Try: “Show the next 50 search results.”

  Read · get_more_search_results

• Lists searches that are still running

  Shows every active search session.

  Try: “What searches are still running?”

  Read · list_searches

• Stops a running search

  Ends an active search cleanly.

  Try: “Stop that search.”

  Runs code · stop_search

• Creates or changes a file

  Writes a file, replacing it or adding to the end. It also writes Excel files from a 2D array. The default write limit is 50 lines per call.

  Try: “Create notes.md with today's meeting summary.”

  Write · write_file

• Replaces a specific piece of text in a file

  Makes targeted text replacements in text files, or range-based cell updates in Excel files. Shows the closest match if the text is not found.

  Try: “In config.js, change the port from 3000 to 8080.”

  Write · edit_block

• Creates or changes a PDF

  Creates a PDF from markdown with HTML and CSS styling, or modifies an existing PDF by inserting or deleting pages.

  Try: “Turn this report into a PDF.”

  Write · write_pdf

• Creates a folder

  Creates a folder, or confirms it already exists.

  Try: “Create a folder called exports.”

  Write · create_directory

• Moves or renames a file or folder

  Moves or renames files and directories.

  Try: “Rename draft.md to final.md.”

  Write · move_file

• Lists the programs running on your computer

  Returns running processes with details.

  Try: “Which processes are using the most memory?”

  Read · list_processes

• Lists terminal sessions the assistant has open

  Shows active terminal sessions started through the server.

  Try: “What sessions do you have open?”

  Read · list_sessions

• Force-stops a terminal session

  Ends a running terminal session started through the server.

  Try: “Stop the dev server session.”

  Runs code · force_terminate

• Kills a program by its process ID

  Terminates a running process by PID. This is the tool to be careful with.

  Try: “Kill process 4821.”

  Delete · kill_process

• Shows the server's settings

  Returns the configuration as JSON, including the blocked commands, shell, allowed folders, read and write limits and the telemetry setting.

  Try: “Show Desktop Commander's current settings.”

  Read · get_config

• Changes a server setting

  Sets one setting, such as blocked commands, default shell, allowed folders, line limits or telemetry. An assistant can change these, including the blocklist.

  Try: “Add rm to the blocked commands.”

  Write · set_config_value

• Shows recent tool calls with their inputs and outputs

  Returns the local history of recent calls, useful to recover context. The history is kept on your machine.

  Try: “What commands did you run in the last hour?”

  Read · get_recent_tool_calls

• Shows how much you have used the tool

  Returns usage statistics for your own insight.

  Try: “Show my Desktop Commander usage stats.”

  Read · get_usage_stats

• Opens a feedback form in your browser

  Opens the project's feedback form so you can send comments to the team.

  Try: “I want to send feedback about Desktop Commander.”

  Network · give_feedback_to_desktop_commander

Watch out for

• It runs any command as you

  The assistant can start programs, edit files and kill processes with your permissions. Prompt injection from a web page or file could trigger that, so use Docker or a VM for risky work. github.com

• The folder and command limits are not a sandbox

  Allowed folders and the command blocklist only reduce accidents. Terminal commands can reach other folders and get around the blocklist, as the project says itself. github.com

• The assistant can change its own settings

  A tool sets the blocked commands and allowed folders. Approve each settings change before it runs. github.com

• It sends anonymous usage data unless you opt out

  The project says the data is pseudonymous and holds no file contents, paths or command arguments. Turn it off by asking the assistant or setting telemetry to false. github.com

• A local history file keeps what the assistant ran

  Commands and arguments are saved on your machine, so secrets typed into a command can end up in the history. github.com

Security advisories