Install mcp/desktop-commander in Claude Code

What you need first

• Claude Code, installed.
• Docker, which gives the docker command the server starts with.

Steps

1. Run this in a terminal, in the project folder. It adds the server for you in that project; put --scope user after claude mcp add to have it in every project.

claude mcp add --transport stdio desktopcommandermcp-xy037c -- docker run -i --rm docker.io/mcp/desktop-commander

2. Start Claude Code and type /mcp: the server is listed with its state.

Check it worked

Ask Claude Code: List the tools of desktopcommandermcp-xy037c.

If it does not start

Cannot connect to the Docker daemon

Docker is not running. Start it, then restart Claude Code.