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wonderwhy-er merged 1 commit into from
Aug 13, 2025
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Update docker installation instructions on website #205

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106 changes: 105 additions & 1 deletion docs/index.html
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Original file line number Diff line number Diff line change
Expand Up @@ -1289,6 +1289,7 @@ <h2>Installation</h2>
<button class="tab-btn" onclick="openTab(event, 'smithery')" style="color: #121212; font-weight: 300;">Smithery Install</button>
<button class="tab-btn" onclick="openTab(event, 'manual')" style="color: #121212; font-weight: 300;">Manual Configuration</button>
<button class="tab-btn" onclick="openTab(event, 'local')" style="color: #121212; font-weight: 300;">Local Installation</button>
<button class="tab-btn" onclick="openTab(event, 'docker')" style="color: #121212; font-weight: 300;">🐳 Docker Install</button>
</div>

<div id="smithery" class="tab-content">
Expand Down Expand Up @@ -1381,8 +1382,111 @@ <h3>Local Installation</h3>
</div>
</div>
</div>

<div id="docker" class="tab-content">
<div class="step">
<div class="step-content">
<h3>🐳 Docker Installation</h3>
<p><strong>Perfect for complete isolation and no Node.js required!</strong></p>
<p>Desktop Commander runs in a sandboxed Docker container with persistent development environment.</p>

<h4>Prerequisites</h4>
<ul style="margin-bottom: 15px; padding-left: 20px;">
<li><a href="https://www.docker.com/products/docker-desktop/" target="_blank">Docker Desktop</a> installed <strong>and running</strong></li>
<li>Claude Desktop app installed</li>
</ul>

<h4>Automated Installation (Recommended)</h4>

<div style="margin-bottom: 20px;">
<strong>macOS/Linux:</strong>
<pre style="background: #f4f4f4; padding: 10px; overflow-x: auto; border-radius: 5px; margin-top: 10px; white-space: pre-wrap; word-break: break-word;">bash <(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/wonderwhy-er/DesktopCommanderMCP/refs/heads/main/install-docker.sh)</pre>
</div>

<div style="margin-bottom: 20px;">
<strong>Windows PowerShell (Run as Administrator):</strong>
<pre style="background: #f4f4f4; padding: 10px; overflow-x: auto; border-radius: 5px; margin-top: 10px; white-space: pre-wrap; word-break: break-word;">iex ((New-Object System.Net.WebClient).DownloadString('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/wonderwhy-er/DesktopCommanderMCP/refs/heads/main/install-docker.ps1'))</pre>
</div>

<div style="background: #e8f4f8; padding: 15px; border-radius: 8px; margin: 15px 0;">
<h4 style="margin-top: 0; color: #0078D7;">How Docker Persistence Works</h4>
<p>Desktop Commander creates a persistent work environment that remembers everything between sessions:</p>
<ul style="margin-bottom: 0; padding-left: 20px;">
<li><strong>Your development tools:</strong> Any software you install stays installed</li>
<li><strong>Your configurations:</strong> Git settings, SSH keys, shell preferences preserved</li>
<li><strong>Your work files:</strong> Projects and files in workspace persist across restarts</li>
<li><strong>Package caches:</strong> Downloaded packages cached for faster installs</li>
</ul>
</div>

<h4>Manual Docker Configuration</h4>
<p>If you prefer manual setup, add this to your claude_desktop_config.json:</p>

<strong>Basic setup (no file access):</strong>
<pre style="background: #f4f4f4; padding: 10px; overflow-x: auto; border-radius: 5px; margin-top: 10px; white-space: pre-wrap; word-break: break-word;">{
"mcpServers": {
"desktop-commander-docker": {
"command": "docker",
"args": [
"run", "-i", "--rm",
"mcp/desktop-commander:latest"
]
}
}
}</pre>
Comment on lines +1425 to +1436

@coderabbitai coderabbitai Bot Aug 13, 2025

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💡 Verification agent

🧩 Analysis chain

Align server name with installer and ensure image auto-update pulls

  • The installer (install-docker.sh) registers the MCP under desktop-commander, while docs show desktop-commander-docker. This mismatch can confuse users and lead to duplicate entries in Claude config.
  • Also, “latest” won’t auto-update unless you docker pull or use --pull=always.

Apply this diff to the JSON example inside the pre block:

-    "desktop-commander-docker": {
+    "desktop-commander": {
       "command": "docker",
       "args": [
-        "run", "-i", "--rm",
+        "run", "--pull=always", "-i", "--rm",
         "mcp/desktop-commander:latest"
       ]
     }

Please confirm the desired MCP server key. If you want a distinct Docker-only entry, consider standardizing both script and docs on the same key (e.g., desktop-commander-docker) and update install-docker.sh accordingly.

Let’s verify the server key used in the Docker installer script.

🏁 Script executed:

#!/bin/bash
# Locate and inspect install-docker.sh for the registered MCP key
script=$(fd install-docker.sh | head -n 1)
if [ -z "$script" ]; then
  echo "install-docker.sh not found"
  exit 1
fi
echo "Found installer at: $script"
grep -n "desktop-commander" "$script" || echo "No 'desktop-commander' reference found"

Length of output: 534

Update JSON example to use “desktop-commander” and enable auto-pull

Align the docs with install-docker.sh (which registers the container as desktop-commander) and add --pull=always so the image is always updated.

• Change the MCP server key from "desktop-commander-docker" to "desktop-commander".
• Insert --pull=always into the Docker run arguments.

Apply this diff in docs/index.html (around lines 1425–1436):

-    "desktop-commander-docker": {
+    "desktop-commander": {
       "command": "docker",
       "args": [
-        "run", "-i", "--rm",
+        "run", "--pull=always", "-i", "--rm",
         "mcp/desktop-commander:latest"
       ]
     }
📝 Committable suggestion

‼️ IMPORTANT
Carefully review the code before committing. Ensure that it accurately replaces the highlighted code, contains no missing lines, and has no issues with indentation. Thoroughly test & benchmark the code to ensure it meets the requirements.

Suggested change
<strong>Basic setup (no file access):</strong>
<pre style="background: #f4f4f4; padding: 10px; overflow-x: auto; border-radius: 5px; margin-top: 10px; white-space: pre-wrap; word-break: break-word;">{
"mcpServers": {
"desktop-commander-docker": {
"command": "docker",
"args": [
"run", "-i", "--rm",
"mcp/desktop-commander:latest"
]
}
}
}</pre>
<strong>Basic setup (no file access):</strong>
<pre style="background: #f4f4f4; padding: 10px; overflow-x: auto; border-radius: 5px; margin-top: 10px; white-space: pre-wrap; word-break: break-word;">{
"mcpServers": {
"desktop-commander": {
"command": "docker",
"args": [
"run", "--pull=always", "-i", "--rm",
"mcp/desktop-commander:latest"
]
}
}
}</pre>
🤖 Prompt for AI Agents 
In docs/index.html around lines 1425 to 1436, update the JSON example so the MCP
server key is "desktop-commander" (instead of "desktop-commander-docker") and
add the Docker image auto-pull flag by inserting "--pull=always" into the "args"
array for the docker run command; keep the existing argument order and
formatting but ensure the new key name and the added "--pull=always" entry are
reflected in the JSON snippet to match install-docker.sh.


<strong>With folder mounting:</strong>
<pre style="background: #f4f4f4; padding: 10px; overflow-x: auto; border-radius: 5px; margin-top: 10px; white-space: pre-wrap; word-break: break-word;">{
"mcpServers": {
"desktop-commander-docker": {
"command": "docker",
"args": [
"run", "-i", "--rm",
"-v", "dc-system:/usr",
"-v", "dc-home:/root",
"-v", "dc-workspace:/workspace",
"-v", "dc-packages:/var",
"-v", "/Users/username/Projects:/home/Projects",
"mcp/desktop-commander:latest"
]
}
}
}</pre>
Comment on lines +1438 to +1454

@coderabbitai coderabbitai Bot Aug 13, 2025

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💡 Verification agent

🧩 Analysis chain

Volume mounts and workspace path consistency; add auto-pull; align server key

  • Use a consistent key name (see previous comment).
  • Add --pull=always to actually get newer “latest” images automatically.
  • Prefer mounting into /workspace (already used for persistence) to avoid split locations (/home vs /workspace).
  • The host path example is macOS-specific; add a brief note for Windows/Linux equivalents or keep it clearly as a placeholder.

Apply this diff to the JSON example inside the pre block:

-    "desktop-commander-docker": {
+    "desktop-commander": {
       "command": "docker", 
       "args": [
-        "run", "-i", "--rm",
+        "run", "--pull=always", "-i", "--rm",
         "-v", "dc-system:/usr",
         "-v", "dc-home:/root", 
         "-v", "dc-workspace:/workspace",
         "-v", "dc-packages:/var",
-        "-v", "/Users/username/Projects:/home/Projects",
+        "-v", "/Users/username/Projects:/workspace/Projects",
         "mcp/desktop-commander:latest"
       ]
     }
  • Cross-check these volume targets with the container’s expected paths and the DOCKER_ARGS used in install-docker.sh to prevent drift.
  • Consider adding a short comment under the snippet: “Replace /Users/username/Projects with your path (e.g., C:\Users\you\Projects on Windows, /home/you/Projects on Linux).”

🏁 Script executed:

#!/bin/bash
# Locate install-docker.sh in the repository
fd install-docker.sh

# If found, print the first 200 lines for context and search for DOCKER_ARGS
file_path=$(fd install-docker.sh | head -n1)
if [[ -n "$file_path" ]]; then
  echo "== Contents of $file_path =="
  head -n 200 "$file_path"
  echo
  echo "== DOCKER_ARGS definitions =="
  rg -n 'DOCKER_ARGS' "$file_path"
else
  echo "install-docker.sh not found"
  exit 1
fi

Length of output: 7570

🏁 Script executed:

#!/bin/bash
# Print definitions of volume mappings and how $volume is set
echo "== Lines 100-180 for initial volume setup =="
sed -n '100,180p' install-docker.sh
echo
echo "== Lines 180-240 for folder mounting logic =="
sed -n '180,240p' install-docker.sh

Length of output: 5375

🏁 Script executed:

#!/bin/bash
# Show build_docker_args implementation and volume mounting logic
echo "== build_docker_args (240-330) =="
sed -n '240,330p' install-docker.sh

Length of output: 2992

Align JSON example with installation script and improve mount consistency

To keep the docs in sync with install-docker.sh and make mounting clearer:

  • Use the same server key as the script (desktop-commander).
  • Include --pull=always so Claude always fetches the latest image.
  • Mount your workspace under /workspace (the script’s persistent workspace volume), not /home.
  • Clarify that /Users/username/Projects is a placeholder—show Windows/Linux equivalents.

Locations:

  • File: docs/index.html
  • Lines: 1438–1454 (the JSON example inside the <pre>)

Apply this diff:

--- a/docs/index.html
+++ b/docs/index.html
@@ Lines 1438-1454 inside the `<pre>` block
-  "mcpServers": {
-    "desktop-commander-docker": {
+  "mcpServers": {
+    "desktop-commander": {
       "command": "docker",
       "args": [
-        "run", "-i", "--rm",
+        "run", "--pull=always", "-i", "--rm",
         "-v", "dc-system:/usr",
         "-v", "dc-home:/root",
         "-v", "dc-workspace:/workspace",
-        "-v", "/Users/username/Projects:/home/Projects",
+        "-v", "/Users/username/Projects:/workspace/Projects",
         "mcp/desktop-commander:latest"
       ]
     }

Below the snippet, add a brief note:

Replace /Users/username/Projects with your path—e.g., C:\\Users\\you\\Projects on Windows or /home/you/Projects on Linux.

📝 Committable suggestion

‼️ IMPORTANT
Carefully review the code before committing. Ensure that it accurately replaces the highlighted code, contains no missing lines, and has no issues with indentation. Thoroughly test & benchmark the code to ensure it meets the requirements.

Suggested change
<strong>With folder mounting:</strong>
<pre style="background: #f4f4f4; padding: 10px; overflow-x: auto; border-radius: 5px; margin-top: 10px; white-space: pre-wrap; word-break: break-word;">{
"mcpServers": {
"desktop-commander-docker": {
"command": "docker",
"args": [
"run", "-i", "--rm",
"-v", "dc-system:/usr",
"-v", "dc-home:/root",
"-v", "dc-workspace:/workspace",
"-v", "dc-packages:/var",
"-v", "/Users/username/Projects:/home/Projects",
"mcp/desktop-commander:latest"
]
}
}
}</pre>
<pre style="background: #f4f4f4; padding: 10px; overflow-x: auto; border-radius: 5px; margin-top: 10px; white-space: pre-wrap; word-break: break-word;">{
"mcpServers": {
"desktop-commander": {
"command": "docker",
"args": [
"run", "--pull=always", "-i", "--rm",
"-v", "dc-system:/usr",
"-v", "dc-home:/root",
"-v", "dc-workspace:/workspace",
"-v", "/Users/username/Projects:/workspace/Projects",
"mcp/desktop-commander:latest"
]
}
}
}</pre>
🤖 Prompt for AI Agents 
In docs/index.html around lines 1438–1454, the JSON example is out of sync with
install-docker.sh and mounts the example workspace to /home; change the server
key to "desktop-commander", add the docker arg "--pull=always" to ensure the
image is always fetched, move the host workspace mount into the container path
"/workspace" (use -v "/Users/username/Projects:/workspace"), and keep other
persistent volume mounts the same; then, directly below the <pre> snippet add a
short note saying "Replace /Users/username/Projects with your path — e.g.,
C:\\Users\\you\\Projects on Windows or /home/you/Projects on Linux."


<h4>Docker Benefits</h4>
<ul style="margin-bottom: 15px; padding-left: 20px;">
<li><strong>✅ Complete Isolation:</strong> Runs in sandboxed environment</li>
<li><strong>✅ No Node.js Required:</strong> Everything included in container</li>
<li><strong>✅ Cross-Platform:</strong> Same experience on all operating systems</li>
<li><strong>✅ Persistent Environment:</strong> Your tools and files survive restarts</li>
</ul>

<h4>Management Commands</h4>

<strong>macOS/Linux:</strong>
<pre style="background: #f4f4f4; padding: 10px; overflow-x: auto; border-radius: 5px; margin-top: 10px; white-space: pre-wrap; word-break: break-word;"># Check status
bash <(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/wonderwhy-er/DesktopCommanderMCP/refs/heads/main/install-docker.sh) --status

# Reset persistent data
bash <(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/wonderwhy-er/DesktopCommanderMCP/refs/heads/main/install-docker.sh) --reset</pre>

<strong>Windows PowerShell:</strong>
<pre style="background: #f4f4f4; padding: 10px; overflow-x: auto; border-radius: 5px; margin-top: 10px; white-space: pre-wrap; word-break: break-word;"># Check status
$script = (New-Object System.Net.WebClient).DownloadString('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/wonderwhy-er/DesktopCommanderMCP/refs/heads/main/install-docker.ps1'); & ([ScriptBlock]::Create("$script")) -Status

# Reset data
$script = (New-Object System.Net.WebClient).DownloadString('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/wonderwhy-er/DesktopCommanderMCP/refs/heads/main/install-docker.ps1'); & ([ScriptBlock]::Create("$script")) -Reset</pre>

<br />
<p>✅ <strong>Auto-Updates:</strong> <code>latest</code> tag automatically gets newer versions</p>
<p>🔄 <strong>Manual Update:</strong> <code>docker pull mcp/desktop-commander:latest</code> then restart Claude</p>
<p>🗑️ <strong>Uninstall:</strong> Remove Docker configuration from Claude config and optionally run reset command to clear persistent data</p>
Comment on lines +1481 to +1483

@coderabbitai coderabbitai Bot Aug 13, 2025

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⚠️ Potential issue

“Auto-Updates” claim is misleading for latest without pulls

Docker will not automatically fetch newer images for latest unless explicitly pulled or using --pull=always on run. Update the wording and/or include the flag in examples (see prior diffs).

Apply this diff to clarify:

-<p>✅ <strong>Auto-Updates:</strong> <code>latest</code> tag automatically gets newer versions</p>
+<p>✅ <strong>Auto-Updates:</strong> Add <code>--pull=always</code> to your Docker args to automatically fetch newer <code>latest</code> images when starting.</p>
📝 Committable suggestion

‼️ IMPORTANT
Carefully review the code before committing. Ensure that it accurately replaces the highlighted code, contains no missing lines, and has no issues with indentation. Thoroughly test & benchmark the code to ensure it meets the requirements.

Suggested change
<p>✅ <strong>Auto-Updates:</strong> <code>latest</code> tag automatically gets newer versions</p>
<p>🔄 <strong>Manual Update:</strong> <code>docker pull mcp/desktop-commander:latest</code> then restart Claude</p>
<p>🗑️ <strong>Uninstall:</strong> Remove Docker configuration from Claude config and optionally run reset command to clear persistent data</p>
<p>✅ <strong>Auto-Updates:</strong> Add <code>--pull=always</code> to your Docker args to automatically fetch newer <code>latest</code> images when starting.</p>
<p>🔄 <strong>Manual Update:</strong> <code>docker pull mcp/desktop-commander:latest</code> then restart Claude</p>
<p>🗑️ <strong>Uninstall:</strong> Remove Docker configuration from Claude config and optionally run reset command to clear persistent data</p>
🤖 Prompt for AI Agents 
In docs/index.html around lines 1481 to 1483, the "Auto-Updates" copy
incorrectly implies Docker will automatically fetch newer images for the latest
tag; change the wording to clarify Docker does not auto-pull tags and either
suggest using an explicit pull or add the --pull=always flag in the run example,
and update the Manual Update line to show the recommended command (e.g., include
docker pull or --pull=always) and add a short note that automatic fetch requires
external tooling or container runtime options.

</div>
</div>
</div>

<div style="text-align: left; background: #f8f8f8; padding: 12px; overflow-x: auto; border-radius: 5px; margin-top: 15px; margin-bottom: 15px; border: 1px solid #ccc; box-shadow: 0 1px 3px rgba(0,0,0,0.05);">
<p style="margin-top: 0; color: #171717;">To install DesktopCommanderMCP you need to have Node.js v18.18.0+ and Claude Desktop installed on your system:</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0; color: #171717;">To install DesktopCommanderMCP you need to have Node.js v18.18.0+ and Claude Desktop installed on your system (except Docker installation which doesn't require Node.js but Docker):</p>
<p><strong>Download Node.js:</strong> <a href="https://nodejs.org/en/download" target="_blank">https://nodejs.org/en/download</a></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0;"><strong>Download Claude Desktop:</strong> <a href="https://claude.ai/download" target="_blank">https://claude.ai/download</a></p>
</div>
Expand Down