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wcgw
Local shell and file-editing MCP server that gives an assistant an interactive terminal on your machine
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Desktop Commander MCP
Lets an assistant run terminal commands, manage processes, and search, read and edit files on your computer.
By Eduard Ruzga (individual) TypeScript Local · stdio Files and storageDeveloper tools
105 popularity score ★ 10k ↓ 705k/wk
Connect your client
Local (npm)
Add in one click
Opens the app, which asks before it adds the server.
Or add it by command or config
Claude CodeTerminal
claude mcp add desktop-commander -- npx -y @wonderwhy-er/desktop-commanderClaude Desktopclaude_desktop_config.json
{
"mcpServers": {
"desktop-commander": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@wonderwhy-er/desktop-commander"
]
}
}
}Cursor~/.cursor/mcp.json
{
"mcpServers": {
"desktop-commander": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@wonderwhy-er/desktop-commander"
]
}
}
}VS Code.vscode/mcp.json
{
"servers": {
"desktop-commander": {
"type": "stdio",
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@wonderwhy-er/desktop-commander"
]
}
}
}Codex~/.codex/config.toml
[mcp_servers.desktop-commander]
command = "npx"
args = ["-y", "@wonderwhy-er/desktop-commander"]Gemini CLITerminal
gemini mcp add --scope user desktop-commander npx -- -y @wonderwhy-er/desktop-commanderWhat it does
Desktop Commander gives an assistant a terminal and a file manager on your own computer. It can start programs and keep talking to them (shells, SSH sessions, databases, development servers), stream and page through their output, list and kill processes, and run code in memory in Python, Node.js or R.
For files it reads, writes, moves and searches text, with ripgrep-based content search, recursive directory listing and reading from the end of a file. It makes targeted text replacements for small code edits, and also reads and writes Excel workbooks, PDFs (including creating PDFs from markdown) and Word documents, which makes it usable for quick analysis of CSV, JSON or Excel data.
It runs locally with Node.js: npx @wonderwhy-er/desktop-commander@latest setup configures Claude Desktop, or the package can be added to any client's config. A Docker image (mcp/desktop-commander) runs it in a container with only the folders you mount. Settings such as allowed directories, blocked commands and the default shell are changed through its own config tools. A Remote MCP option lets it be used from ChatGPT, Claude web and other web services.
Tools 25
get_config- Get the complete server configuration as JSON: blocked commands, default shell, allowed directories, read and write line limits, telemetry setting.
set_config_value- Set a configuration value by key, such as blockedCommands, defaultShell, allowedDirectories, fileReadLineLimit, fileWriteLineLimit or telemetryEnabled.
start_process- Start programs with detection of when they are ready for input.
interact_with_process- Send commands to running programs and get responses.
read_process_output- Read output from running processes.
force_terminate- Force terminate a running terminal session.
list_sessions- List all active terminal sessions.
list_processes- List all running processes with detailed information.
kill_process- Terminate a running process by PID.
read_file- Read contents from the local filesystem, URLs, Excel files and PDFs with line- or page-based pagination.
read_multiple_files- Read multiple files simultaneously.
write_file- Write file contents, rewriting or appending; supports Excel files as JSON 2D arrays.
write_pdf- Create PDF files from markdown or modify existing PDFs (insert or delete pages).
create_directory- Create a new directory or ensure it exists.
list_directory- Recursive listing of files and directories, with a depth parameter (default 2).
move_file- Move or rename files and directories.
start_search- Start a streaming search for files by name or content patterns, including Excel content.
get_more_search_results- Get paginated results from an active search.
stop_search- Stop an active search.
list_searches- List all active search sessions.
get_file_info- Retrieve metadata about a file or directory, including sheet info for Excel files.
edit_block- Apply targeted text replacements in text files, or range-based cell updates in Excel files.
get_usage_stats- Get usage statistics.
get_recent_tool_calls- Get recent tool call history with arguments and outputs, for debugging and context recovery.
give_feedback_to_desktop_commander- Open a feedback form in the browser.