> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://desktopcommander.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# 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 theme={null}
bash <(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/wonderwhy-er/DesktopCommanderMCP/refs/heads/main/install-docker.sh)
```

**Windows PowerShell:**

```powershell theme={null}
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):**

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

**With folder mounting:**

```json theme={null}
{
  "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:**

```bash theme={null}
# 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:**

```powershell theme={null}
# 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](https://desktopcommander.mintlify.site/getting-started/overview)**
>
> Start using Desktop Commander after installation

> **[Configuration](https://desktopcommander.mintlify.site/tools/system/get-config.md)**
>
> Configure your Docker environment

> **[Use Cases](https://desktopcommander.mintlify.site/use-cases/overview.md)**
>
> Discover what you can accomplish

> **[Troubleshooting](https://desktopcommander.mintlify.site/support/troubleshooting.md)**
>
> Get help with installation issues


This documentation is built and hosted on [Mintlify](https://mintlify.com), a developer documentation platform.