Docker Installation

Perfect for complete isolation and no Node.js required!

Docker Installation

Perfect for complete isolation and no Node.js required!

Desktop Commander runs in a sandboxed Docker container with persistent development environment.

Prerequisites

• Docker Desktop installed and running
• Claude Desktop app installed

Automated Installation (Recommended)

macOS/Linux:

bash <(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/wonderwhy-er/DesktopCommanderMCP/refs/heads/main/install-docker.sh)

Windows PowerShell:

iex ((New-Object System.Net.WebClient).DownloadString('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/wonderwhy-er/DesktopCommanderMCP/refs/heads/main/install-docker.ps1'))

How Docker Persistence Works

Desktop Commander creates a persistent work environment that remembers everything between sessions:

• Your development tools: Any software you install stays installed
• Your configurations: Git settings, SSH keys, shell preferences preserved
• Your work files: Projects and files in workspace persist across restarts
• Package caches: Downloaded packages cached for faster installs

Manual Docker Configuration

If you prefer manual setup, add this to your claude_desktop_config.json:

Basic setup (no file access):

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "desktop-commander-docker": {
      "command": "docker",
      "args": [
        "run", "-i", "--rm",
        "mcp/desktop-commander:latest"
      ]
    }
  }
}

With folder mounting:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "desktop-commander-docker": {
      "command": "docker", 
      "args": [
        "run", "-i", "--rm",
        "-v", "dc-system:/usr",
        "-v", "dc-home:/root", 
        "-v", "dc-workspace:/workspace",
        "-v", "dc-packages:/var",
        "-v", "/Users/username/Projects:/home/Projects",
        "mcp/desktop-commander:latest"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Docker Benefits

Complete Isolation

✅ Runs in sandboxed environment

No Node.js Required

✅ Everything included in container

Cross-Platform

✅ Same experience on all operating systems

Persistent Environment

✅ Your tools and files survive restarts

Management Commands

macOS/Linux:

# Check status
bash <(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/wonderwhy-er/DesktopCommanderMCP/refs/heads/main/install-docker.sh) --status

# Reset persistent data
bash <(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/wonderwhy-er/DesktopCommanderMCP/refs/heads/main/install-docker.sh) --reset

Windows PowerShell:

# Check status
$script = (New-Object System.Net.WebClient).DownloadString('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/wonderwhy-er/DesktopCommanderMCP/refs/heads/main/install-docker.ps1'); & ([ScriptBlock]::Create("$script")) -Status

# Reset data
$script = (New-Object System.Net.WebClient).DownloadString('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/wonderwhy-er/DesktopCommanderMCP/refs/heads/main/install-docker.ps1'); & ([ScriptBlock]::Create("$script")) -Reset

Updates & Maintenance

• ✅ Auto-Updates: latest tag automatically gets newer versions
• 🔄 Manual Update: docker pull mcp/desktop-commander:latest then restart Claude
• 🗑️ Uninstall: Remove Docker configuration from Claude config and optionally run reset command to clear persistent data

Next Steps

Getting Started

Start using Desktop Commander after installation

Configuration

Configure your Docker environment

Use Cases

Discover what you can accomplish

Troubleshooting

Get help with installation issues