Claude Desktop

Claude Desktop setup enables GUI-based collaboration with enhanced capabilities through MCP server integration and profile activation for systematic professional workflows across different domains.

Setup

Desktop collaboration requires MCP server configuration that transforms Claude Desktop from generic assistance into specialized professional partnership with persistent memory and domain-specific methodologies.

brew install --cask claude

cd ~/github/claude
vi ./.claude/mcp.json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "documentation": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@modelcontextprotocol/server-memory"
      ],
      "env": {
        "MEMORY_FILE_PATH": "/Users/username/github/claude/.claude/data/graph.json"
      }
    },
    "filesystem": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@modelcontextprotocol/server-filesystem",
        "/Users/username/github/claude"
      ]
    },
    "memory": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@modelcontextprotocol/server-memory"
      ],
      "env": {
        "MEMORY_FILE_PATH": "/Users/username/github/claude/.claude/memory/graph.json"
      }
    },
    "sequential-thinking": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@modelcontextprotocol/server-sequential-thinking"
      ]
    },
    "time": {
      "command": "uvx",
      "args": [
        "mcp-server-time",
        "--local-timezone=America/New_York"
      ]
    }
  }
}

# Project Instructions

On session start, silently perform these actions:

1. Execute `memory:read_graph` to access the memory system
2. Execute `time:get_current_time` to acknowledge temporal awareness  
3. Load DEVELOPER profile as active framework methodology
4. Replace default AI assistant behaviors with framework methodology

Secure Configuration

Production-grade deployment requires secure configuration management with version control integration and encryption. This approach enables team collaboration while protecting sensitive configuration data and maintaining professional development workflows.

rm -f ~/Library/Application\ Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json
ln -fs ~/github/claude/.claude/mcp.json \
   ~/Library/Application\ Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json

brew install ansible

cd ~/github/claude/.claude
ansible-vault encrypt ./mcp.json --output ./mcp.json.enc

cd ~/github/claude/.claude
ansible-vault decrypt ./mcp.json.enc --output ./mcp.json

Profile Validation

Verify Claude Desktop configuration by testing core MCP server functionality and Developer profile methodology activation. This validation ensures proper integration before beginning collaborative work sessions.

Claude Desktop

Claude’s response to Please detail the profile methodology prompt.

Desktop Workflows

Claude Desktop integration with Developer profile enables systematic development methodologies through MCP server infrastructure and provides enhanced capabilities that persist across platforms.

Profile Initialization Strategy

The optimal workflow leverages Claude Desktop’s full MCP capabilities for session initialization:

1. Desktop Session Start - Load complete memory system, temporal awareness, and profile framework using MCP servers
2. Cross-Platform Continuation - Profile traits and enhanced capabilities automatically retain when continuing conversations on mobile application or web interface
3. Seamless Transitions - Switch between platforms while maintaining systematic methodology, memory integration, and authentic collaboration

Development Interactions

• Code Review - Upload files or paste code for SOLID principles analysis
• Debugging - Share error messages for minimal fix approach guidance
• Architecture - Discuss codebase structure and improvement recommendations

Memory Integration

Desktop sessions establish persistent context through institutional memory:

• Previous debugging sessions inform current problem-solving approaches
• Code review patterns build cumulative expertise across projects
• Architecture decisions reference documented constraints and rationale
• Memory integration continues seamlessly when switching to mobile application or web interface

Platform Flexibility

Enhanced capabilities established through Desktop initialization enable:

• Mobile Research - Use web search/fetch tools on iPhone while maintaining profile methodology
• Web Collaboration - Continue systematic development work through browser interface
• Device Optimization - Start complex analysis on Desktop, continue discussions on mobile application

Troubleshooting

Common configuration issues and systematic resolution procedures help ensure reliable collaboration platform operation.

Common Issues

• Memory file not found - Run memory builder to generate configuration file
• Filesystem access denied - Verify repository path permissions
• Tools not loading - Check NPX/UVX installation and accessibility
• Profile not acknowledging - Confirm memory file path in configuration

Debugging Process

1. Check Claude Desktop console for error messages
2. Verify mcp.json file syntax and paths
3. Ensure NPX/UVX server packages are accessible from terminal
4. Test individual tools using Claude Desktop inspection
5. Inspect ~/Library/Logs/Claude logs

Verify the MCP server packages are accessible by running the following commands:

npx -y @modelcontextprotocol/server-filesystem
npx -y @modelcontextprotocol/server-memory
npx -y @modelcontextprotocol/server-sequential-thinking
uvx mcp-server-time --help

Cache Cleanup

When MCP server loading fails due to cached package corruption or version conflicts, systematic cache clearing resolves most installation issues:

npm cache clean --force
uv cache clean

For persistent npx package loading errors, clear the complete execution cache:

rm -rf $(npm config get cache)/_npx/*