Claude Code

Claude Code is the main way to use Desk Genie. Two plugins cover the two jobs, and you can install both.

Plugin	What it does	Needs
desk-genie (Mac app)	Makes your character speak and animate on your Mac while Claude works, and shares the information you choose. Runs the MCP server desk-genie.	The Desk Genie Mac app, with Connect to Claude on. No token.
desk-genie-hosted (hosted)	Lists the characters on the Desk Genie service and talks to them from any computer. Runs the MCP server desk-genie-hosted.	An access token. Each talk counts against your daily limit.
desk-genie-hooks (optional)	Silent character reactions to Claude Code activity. They animate only and never speak or open the microphone.	The Mac app plugin.

The two servers have different names on purpose, so Claude Code keeps both. Tools appear under each server's name.

Claude Code in the terminal

claude plugin marketplace add https://stage.app.deskgenie.studio/developers/plugins/marketplace.json
export DESK_GENIE_TOKEN="dg_..."
claude plugin install desk-genie-hosted@desk-genie \
  --config token="$DESK_GENIE_TOKEN" --config server=https://stage.app.deskgenie.studio/api/mcp
claude plugin install desk-genie@desk-genie
claude plugin install desk-genie-hooks@desk-genie

Install only the lines you need. The server option defaults to this service's address, so you only set it to use a different one. Claude Code stores the token in your system keychain.

Check the result with claude mcp list. plugin:desk-genie-hosted:desk-genie-hosted should show as connected. The Mac app server connects while the app is open.

Claude Code in VS Code

The Claude Code page has an install button for each plugin. A button opens Claude Code's install dialog in VS Code, and the hosted plugin asks for your token there. The extension and the command line share the same plugin settings, so the terminal commands above also work in VS Code's terminal. Start a new conversation after installing.

Update and remove

claude plugin marketplace update desk-genie
claude plugin uninstall desk-genie-hosted@desk-genie

If you installed the Mac app plugin earlier from the preview archive (desk-genie@desk-genie-local), keep that one or switch, but do not run both: they register the same desk-genie server.

The Mac app plugin and the reactions plugin come from the Desk Genie Mac app preview and are unsigned. See Mac app MCP server for what they share and how to pair a client.