Extensions & MCP
ClawDesk can do much more than just chat. Extensions and MCP servers add extra capabilities — like giving your AI agents new tools and integrations.
What Are Extensions?
Extensions are add-ons that connect ClawDesk to other services and tools. Think of them like apps on your phone — they add new features.
Examples of Extensions
| Extension | What it does |
|---|---|
| Web Search | Lets agents search the internet |
| GitHub | Access repositories, issues, and pull requests |
| Calendar | Read and create calendar events |
| Database | Query databases |
| File System | Read and write files on your computer |
Managing Extensions
Viewing Installed Extensions
- Click Extensions in the left sidebar
- You'll see the Integrations tab showing all configured extensions
Adding an Extension
- Go to Extensions → Integrations tab
- Click "Add Integration"
- Fill in the required fields:
- Name — A label for this integration
- Type — The kind of integration
- Credentials — API keys or tokens needed
- Click Save
Extension Health
The Health tab shows whether each extension is working:
- Healthy — Connected and working
- Degraded — Partially working
- Unhealthy — Not working — check credentials
Credential Vault
The Advanced Vault tab provides a secure place to manage sensitive credentials like API keys and tokens. All credentials are stored locally and encrypted.
What Is MCP?
MCP (Model Context Protocol) is a standard way for AI models to use external tools. It's like a universal plug system — any MCP-compatible tool works with any AI model in ClawDesk.
Why MCP Matters
Without MCP, AI can only respond with text. With MCP, AI agents can:
- Search the web
- Read and write files
- Query databases
- Access APIs
- Execute code
- And much more
Setting Up MCP Servers
Step 1: Go to the MCP Page
Click MCP in the left sidebar.
Step 2: Add an MCP Server
- Click "Add Server" or "+"
- Choose the connection type:
| Type | What it means | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| stdio | Runs a local program | For tools installed on your computer |
| SSE | Connects via HTTP | For remote/cloud-based tools |
Step 3: Configure the Server
For stdio (local tools):
Name: My Tool Server
Transport: stdio
Command: npx
Arguments: -y @some-mcp-tool/server
For SSE (remote tools):
Name: Remote Tool
Transport: sse
URL: https://my-tool.example.com/mcp
Step 4: Connect and Browse Tools
- Click Connect
- Once connected, you'll see a list of tools the server provides
- These tools automatically become available to your agents
Bundled MCP Templates
ClawDesk comes with pre-configured MCP server templates you can install with one click:
| Template | Tools included | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| File System | read_file, write_file, list_dir | Access files on your computer |
| Web Search | search, fetch_url | Search the internet |
| Git | git_log, git_diff, git_status | Access Git repositories |
| Database | query, list_tables | Query databases |
To install a template:
- Go to MCP page
- Browse the available templates
- Click Install on the one you want
- It auto-configures and connects
Using MCP Tools in Chat
Once you've connected MCP servers, the tools are automatically available. When you chat, the AI can decide to use these tools when appropriate.
Example conversation:
You: What files are in my Documents folder?
AI: Let me check... (uses file system MCP tool)
Here are the files in your Documents folder:
- report.docx
- budget.xlsx
- notes.md
You'll see a small indicator when the AI uses a tool, showing which tool was called and what data it received.
Invoking Tools Directly
On the MCP page, you can also test tools directly without going through chat:
- Click on a connected server
- Browse its tools
- Click a tool to invoke it manually
- Enter the required parameters
- See the result
This is useful for testing and debugging.
Common MCP Setups
For Developers
File System MCP → Read/write code files
Git MCP → Check git status, view diffs
Terminal MCP → Run commands
For Writers
Web Search MCP → Research topics
File System MCP → Save drafts
For Business
Database MCP → Query business data
Calendar MCP → Access schedules
Email MCP → Read/send emails
Troubleshooting
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| Server won't connect | Check that the command or URL is correct. For stdio, make sure the program is installed. |
| Tools don't appear | Disconnect and reconnect the server. Check the logs for errors. |
| AI doesn't use the tool | The AI decides when tools are useful. Try asking more specifically: "Search the web for..." |
| "Command not found" | For stdio servers, make sure the required software (e.g., Node.js, the MCP package) is installed |
Related Guides
- Creating Agents → — Give agents access to MCP tools
- Chatting with AI → — See tools in action during chat
- Running AI Locally → — Use MCP tools with local models