Desktop Commander MCP Server

MCP server for terminal operations and file editing

Node.jsstdio

context tax

pending

security

pending

cold start

pending

freshness

pending

Our reading of Desktop Commander, from the data

Desktop Commander is a code execution & sandboxes MCP server.

We haven't measured its tool list yet, so its token cost is unknown.

It runs locally on your machine over stdio.

Install Desktop Commander MCP server

claude mcp add chriscoletech-desktop-commander-mcp -- npx -y @chriscoletech/desktop-commander-mcp

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

Add to ~/.cursor/mcp.json (global) or .cursor/mcp.json (project).

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

Settings → Developer → Edit Config (claude_desktop_config.json), then restart.

{
  "servers": {
    "chriscoletech-desktop-commander-mcp": {
      "type": "stdio",
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@chriscoletech/desktop-commander-mcp"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Add to .vscode/mcp.json in your workspace.

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

Add to ~/.codeium/windsurf/mcp_config.json.

Freshness

Not enough public signals yet to judge maintenance.

Last commit (default branch)
no data · GitHub
Latest release
no data · GitHub
Package published
no data · npm/PyPI
Registry entry updated
no data · official registry

How it compares in Code Execution & Sandboxes

Against the most-starred code execution & sandboxes servers we index. Token cost is per model turn, measured from each server's live tool list.

Server	Stars	Tools	Tokens / turn	Freshness	Runs
Desktop Commander (this)	—	—	not measured	—	local
REA	324,759	—	not measured	Active	local
Node Repl	28,567	—	not measured	Active	local
Ask Jev	5,224	—	not measured	Active	hosted
Container Use	4,072	—	not measured	Maintained	—
MATLAB	1,679	—	not measured	Active	local

All code execution & sandboxes MCP servers

FAQ

›How do I install the Desktop Commander MCP server in Claude Code?

Run: claude mcp add chriscoletech-desktop-commander-mcp -- npx -y @chriscoletech/desktop-commander-mcp. For Cursor, VS Code, Claude Desktop and Windsurf, use the install tabs above.

›Does Desktop Commander require an API key?

No required environment variables are declared in its published metadata.

›Can I use Desktop Commander as a remote (hosted) MCP server?

No hosted endpoint is published; it runs locally over stdio.

›Is Desktop Commander in the official MCP registry?

No. It was indexed from npm.

Sources and method

Package registry (npm / PyPI): listed
Last checked against all sources: 2026-10-19

The description, packages and links come from the maintainer's own published metadata. Token cost, security signals, freshness and the reading above are MCPSkillHub's own measurements; see the methodology. Spot an error? Request a correction or claim the listing.