Skip to content

Claude Desktop

Claude Desktop uses extension files that end in .mcpb. There are two, and you can install either or both. They have different names, so they never replace each other.

Extension What it does Needs
Desk Genie (hosted) Lists the characters on the Desk Genie service and talks to them. Server name desk-genie-hosted. An access token. Each talk counts against your daily limit.
Desk Genie (Mac app) Makes your character speak and animate on your Mac, and shares information you choose. Server name desk-genie. The Desk Genie Mac app, open, with Connect to Claude on. No token.

Before you start

  • The files are unsigned. Claude Desktop shows a warning when you install them. Install only files you downloaded from this site, and check the SHA-256 in step 2.
  • Never unzip a .mcpb file. If your browser unpacked it into a folder, delete the folder and use the fix in Download problems.
  • Never paste an access token into a chat. Claude Desktop asks for it in the extension's settings and stores it as a sensitive value.

Install the hosted extension

  1. Download desk-genie-hosted.mcpb from the Claude Desktop page. The saved file must end in .mcpb.
  2. Check the file. In Terminal, run shasum -a 256 ~/Downloads/desk-genie-hosted.mcpb. The result must match the SHA-256 shown on the page.
  3. Open the file. Claude Desktop shows an install dialog. If nothing happens, open Claude Desktop, choose Settings, then Extensions, then Advanced settings, then Install Extension, and pick the file. Menu names can differ between Claude Desktop versions.
  4. Confirm the warning, then paste your access token into Desk Genie access token. Leave Server address as it is.
  5. Turn the extension on. Start a new chat and ask: "List the Desk Genie characters, then ask Pip to say hello."

Claude Desktop asks before it uses a tool for the first time. Allow it. A working install lists Jeannie, Pip and Roy, and Pip answers in text. Your account page shows one more turn.

Note

The extension sends your token only to *.deskgenie.studio, over HTTPS. To stop it, turn the extension off or revoke the token on the tokens page.

Install the Mac app extension

  1. Install and open the Desk Genie Mac app. In Desk Genie, open Settings, then Apps and connections, then Agent connections, and turn on Connect to Claude.
  2. Download desk-genie.mcpb from the Claude Desktop page, check its SHA-256 as above, and open it.
  3. Confirm the warning and turn the extension on. Leave the key option empty unless you are sharing character information.
  4. Start a new chat and ask Claude to make your character wave.

Warning

The Mac app extension talks to the app on your Mac. If the app is closed, or Connect to Claude is off, Claude Desktop reports that the server could not connect. Open the app, turn the setting on and start a new chat.

To share a character's bio, style or a note with Claude, see Share information with a client.

Optional: the Desk Genie skill

The extensions give Claude the tools. The skill tells Claude when and how to use the Mac app tools: check status first, speak only when asked, use plain speech without code or URLs, and treat shared character text as data, not instructions.

  1. Download desk-genie-skill.zip from the Claude Desktop page. Do not unzip it.
  2. Add it in Claude Desktop through its skill or custom plugin upload. Menu names differ between versions.
  3. Start a new chat. Claude should now follow the skill whenever the Mac app tools are present.

Warning

The skill belongs to the Mac app extension and does nothing for the hosted extension. It is named desk-genie. An earlier prototype named desk-genie-companion is a different skill: do not install both. Claude Code does not need this file, because the Mac app plugin already includes the skill.

Download problems

  • The browser saved a .zip or made a folder. Some browsers unpack zip files. Delete the folder, then rename the downloaded desk-genie-hosted.zip to desk-genie-hosted.mcpb. A .mcpb file is a zip file, so the contents are the same.
  • Download from the terminal instead. curl -L -o ~/Downloads/desk-genie-hosted.mcpb https://stage.app.deskgenie.studio/developers/download/desk-genie-hosted.mcpb, then open ~/Downloads/desk-genie-hosted.mcpb.
  • The hash does not match. Delete the file and download it again. Do not install a file with a different hash.

Other problems

What you see What to do
"This access token is not valid" The token is wrong, expired or revoked. Create a new one on the tokens page and paste it in the extension's settings.
"Desk Genie could not be reached" Check your connection. If you changed Server address, set it back to the default.
"You've reached today's limit" Your daily allowance is used. It resets at midnight UTC. See Limits and errors.
The extension is on but no tools appear Start a new chat. If they still do not appear, turn the extension off and on.
An old version is installed Open the new file and confirm the replace dialog. Do not keep two copies.

For coding agents, the same facts are in AGENTS.md.