MCP Mac Control

Name: MCP Mac Control
Author: dockndevai

by dockndevaiversion 0.3.1i★ –iRuns on your computer

Registry nameio.github.dockndevai/mcp-mac-control

Install

Overview

Description from the maker (original English)

Full macOS control — drive a Mac like a human: shell, AppleScript, files, and human-like GUI.

PopNx MCP’s three pillars

These three are never merged into one score: opinions, measurements and popularity are different things.

User voiceiNo reviews yetReviews open together with accounts in a later step
Our basic checksi1 of 1 passedChecked from public information; code not scanned yet
UsageiNot measured yet★ –

What you can do with it

We have not written a plain-language summary for this one yet. Below are the facts we read from the registry.

Connection: Runs on your computer
Transport: stdio
Category: Other

Install

Pick the AI app you use, then copy the settings.

Before you install

Basic checks: 1 of 1 passed
Runs on your computer with your user’s permissions (files, network, apps).
You fill in yourself: MACCTL_SAFE_MODE, MACCTL_MODE, MACCTL_CONFIRM, MACCTL_PATH_ALLOWLIST, MACCTL_PROTECTED_PATHS

You need

npmNode.js installed (for the npx command)

Which app do you use?

ClaudeClaude CodeCursorVS CodeChatGPT

Pick your app above. We remember it, so next time the button says “Install in …”.

Open Claude Desktop → Settings → Developer → Edit Config, and paste this into claude_desktop_config.json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "mac-control": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@dockndevai/mcp-mac-control"
      ],
      "env": {
        "MACCTL_SAFE_MODE": "your-value",
        "MACCTL_MODE": "your-value",
        "MACCTL_CONFIRM": "your-value",
        "MACCTL_PATH_ALLOWLIST": "your-value",
        "MACCTL_PROTECTED_PATHS": "your-value"
      }
    }
  }
}

Run this in your terminal

claude mcp add mac-control --env MACCTL_SAFE_MODE=your-value --env MACCTL_MODE=your-value --env MACCTL_CONFIRM=your-value --env MACCTL_PATH_ALLOWLIST=your-value --env MACCTL_PROTECTED_PATHS=your-value -- npx -y @dockndevai/mcp-mac-control

Fill in the empty values before running it.

Open in Cursor

Or copy the settings yourself

Paste into .cursor/mcp.json in your project, or ~/.cursor/mcp.json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "mac-control": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@dockndevai/mcp-mac-control"
      ],
      "env": {
        "MACCTL_SAFE_MODE": "your-value",
        "MACCTL_MODE": "your-value",
        "MACCTL_CONFIRM": "your-value",
        "MACCTL_PATH_ALLOWLIST": "your-value",
        "MACCTL_PROTECTED_PATHS": "your-value"
      }
    }
  }
}

Your browser asks to open the app, then the app shows the settings and asks you to confirm. Key values are left empty for you to fill in.

Open in VS Code

Or copy the settings yourself

Paste into .vscode/mcp.json in your project

{
  "servers": {
    "mac-control": {
      "type": "stdio",
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@dockndevai/mcp-mac-control"
      ],
      "env": {
        "MACCTL_SAFE_MODE": "your-value",
        "MACCTL_MODE": "your-value",
        "MACCTL_CONFIRM": "your-value",
        "MACCTL_PATH_ALLOWLIST": "your-value",
        "MACCTL_PROTECTED_PATHS": "your-value"
      }
    }
  }
}

Your browser asks to open the app, then the app shows the settings and asks you to confirm. Key values are left empty for you to fill in.

This one runs on your computer, and ChatGPT can only connect to servers on the internet. Pick another app.

Your choice stays on this device in a cookie; no account needed.

Values you fill in

MACCTL_SAFE_MODE env
Set true to invert to safe-by-default: read-only, all powers gated, confirmations on. Default false (full control).
MACCTL_MODE env
Access mode: read-only | read-write | admin. Defaults to admin (or read-only in safe mode).
MACCTL_CONFIRM env
Set true to require human approval (via MCP elicitation) on destructive ops. Default off in full control.
MACCTL_PATH_ALLOWLIST env
Comma-separated path roots the agent may touch (empty = anywhere).
MACCTL_PROTECTED_PATHS env
Comma-separated path roots that may be read but never modified/deleted (empty by default in full control).

These settings are generated from the maker’s registry entry. If the README says otherwise, follow the README.

What it can do

Runs on your computer; the tool list appears in your AI app after you install it.

Basic checksi

We check information anyone can see; we have not read the code. Checks that do not apply are left out of the count. · Checked Nov 7, 2026

✓ Pass
Maker matches the repo
The registry name was verified with the GitHub account dockndevai, which owns the repo
… Not checked yet
Still maintained
We have not read this repo from GitHub yet
… Not checked yet
Has a licence
We have not read this repo from GitHub yet
– Not applicable
Endpoint responds
This one runs on your computer; there is no internet endpoint
– Not applicable
Sign-in with OAuth
Runs on your computer and uses local settings instead
… Not checked yet
No hidden instructions in tool descriptions
Runs on your computer; we can only read tool lists from internet endpoints

Compared with others in Otheri

More stars than 0% of the other 32606 servers in this category
Published to the registry more recently than 49% of the other 32606 servers in this category
Basic checks equal to or better than 100% of the other 32606 servers in this category

Compared with every active server in this category in the registry. Stars count only when the publisher owns the repo.

Common questions

Is MCP Mac Control safe?

It passed 1 of 1 applicable basic checks. We have not read the code. Before adding a key or token, see what access the server asks for and use a key with only the permissions you need.

What keys or codes does it need?

The registry does not list a required key, though some servers ask you to sign in on first use.

Does it run on my computer or in the cloud?

It runs on your computer. Your AI app starts it when needed, and data does not pass through the maker’s servers (unless it calls an online service itself).

Is it still maintained?

The GitHub repo last changed –, and the latest version (0.3.1) reached the registry 41 days ago.

Which apps can use it?

Apps that support MCP, such as Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor and VS Code. You also need Node.js on your computer.

What can I use instead?

In the same category: Spec Driven Development, Remote Desktop Commander, Georgia MCP

Alternatives

Servers in the same category from other makers, sorted by stars.

Reading a card:★ GitHub starsiThree pillars: reviews · checks · usageiUpdated = latest version published to the registryi

Spec Driven Development

by formulahendry

MCP Server that facilitates spec-driven development workflows, not just Vibe Coding.

Runs on your computer★ 440MITUpdated 14 months ago

Install

Remote Desktop Commander

by desktop-commander

Remote Desktop Commander: use files, terminal and processes on your own computers from any AI app.

Runs in the cloud★ 211Updated 2 days ago

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Georgia MCP

by abgeo

An MCP server for Georgian public data, read from the organizations that publish it.

Computer or cloudUpdated today

Install

README from the maker

Open the README

Copied from the maker’s repo as written. PopNx MCP has not reviewed or endorsed it. HTML, images and scripts are removed. Links lead off this site.

mcp-mac-control

A Model Context Protocol server that gives an AI agent full control of a Mac — like a person sitting at it. Shell, AppleScript, files, processes, and human-like GUI control: move, click, double/right-click, drag, scroll, type, and press key combos — with a screenshot + window/screen-size perception loop.

⚠️ This server is full-control by default. It starts in admin mode with command execution, deletes, and GUI input all enabled. That is powerful and dangerous: anything the agent reads (a web page, an email, a file) could contain a prompt injection that then runs arbitrary code on your Mac. Only connect it to an agent and content you trust. Set `MACCTL_SAFE_MODE=true` to flip the whole thing to safe-by-default. If you want safe-by-default as the baseline, use the sibling @dockndevai/mcp-macos instead.

Part of the dockndevai MCP server suite.

What it gives an agent (26 tools)

Perceive — screenshot, get_screen_size, list_windows, get_frontmost_app, list_apps, system_info, list_directory, read_file, list_processes, get_clipboard

Operate the desktop like a human — move_mouse, click (left/right/double), drag, scroll, type_text, key_press (with ⌘/⌥/⌃/⇧), activate_app, quit_app, open, set_clipboard, notify, write_file

Full power — run_command (any program, no shell unless you ask for one), run_applescript (AppleScript/JXA — drive any scriptable app), delete_path (→ Trash), kill_process

The classic loop: screenshot → decide → click/type/drag/scroll → screenshot again.

Install

npx -y @dockndevai/mcp-mac-control

macOS only. You'll need to grant the host app (Terminal, your IDE, Claude Desktop, …) macOS permissions the first time each capability is used:

Screen Recording → for screenshot
Accessibility → for GUI input (click, type_text, drag, scroll, key_press) and list_windows
Automation → for AppleScript / app control
Mouse control uses cliclick: brew install cliclick

Configure (Claude Code)

claude mcp add mac-control -- npx -y @dockndevai/mcp-mac-control

That's it — it's full-control by default. To scope it down, add env flags (see below). See docs/CLIENTS.md for Claude Desktop / Cursor / Codex / VS Code / Windsurf, and .env.example for every variable.

Dialing the control up or down

Full control needs no configuration. Everything below is about restricting it:

Variable	Default	Effect
`MACCTL_SAFE_MODE`	`false`	`true` → read-only, every power gated, confirmations on (safe-by-default)
`MACCTL_MODE`	`admin`	`read-only` / `read-write` / `admin` — caps which tools are registered
`MACCTL_ALLOW_EXEC`	`true`	shell / AppleScript / kill
`MACCTL_ALLOW_DELETE`	`true`	delete to Trash
`MACCTL_ALLOW_INPUT`	`true`	GUI input (mouse/keyboard)
`MACCTL_CONFIRM`	`false`	`true` → destructive ops pause for human approval via MCP elicitation
`MACCTL_PATH_ALLOWLIST`	(empty = anywhere)	confine file ops to these roots
`MACCTL_PROTECTED_PATHS`	(empty)	roots readable but never modified/deleted
`MACCTL_COMMAND_ALLOWLIST`	(empty = any)	restrict `run_command` to these programs
`MACCTL_DRY_RUN`	`false`	validate + log writes without executing
`MACCTL_AUDIT_LOG`	`true`	JSON audit line per guarded op, to stderr

The policy engine (src/security.ts) is the same graduated model as the rest of the suite — this server just ships it wide open by default. See SECURITY.md.

AI risk guard (optional)

For an extra layer on top of the static rules, this server can consult a local laya-guard daemon before running a high-risk tool (run_command, run_applescript, delete_path). The guard classifies the actual command — deterministic patterns plus a local decision model — as allow / confirm / block. It runs *after* the deterministic policy and can only tighten (add a confirm or block), never grant.

Variable	Default	Effect
`MACCTL_GUARD_MODE`	`off`	`monitor` (log what it would do) / `enforce` (block or require confirm)
`MACCTL_GUARD_URL`	`http://127.0.0.1:8799`	the local laya-guard daemon
`MACCTL_GUARD_TIMEOUT_MS`	`2000`	per-check timeout
`MACCTL_GUARD_FAIL_CLOSED`	`confirm`	when the daemon is unreachable in enforce mode: `confirm` or `allow`

Run the daemon with pipx install laya-guard && laya-guard. Start in monitor to see what it catches, then switch to enforce.

Developing

npm install

npm run build echo '{"jsonrpc":"2.0","id":1,"method":"tools/list","params":{}}' | node dist/index.js # list tools npm test

Licence

MIT

MCP Mac Control

Overview

PopNx MCP’s three pillars

What you can do with it

Install

Before you install

Values you fill in

What it can do

Basic checksi

Maker matches the repo

Still maintained

Has a licence

Endpoint responds

Sign-in with OAuth

No hidden instructions in tool descriptions

Compared with others in Otheri

Common questions

Alternatives

Spec Driven Development

Remote Desktop Commander

Georgia MCP

README from the maker

mcp-mac-control

What it gives an agent (26 tools)

Install

Configure (Claude Code)

Dialing the control up or down

AI risk guard (optional)

Developing

Licence