# mac-use-mcp

Lets an AI agent operate a macOS desktop through MCP, including screenshots, clicks, text entry, and UI inspection.

- MCP server · `type=mcp` · Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Windsurf (Devin Desktop), Cline, Zed, Gemini CLI · ★ 7
- Author: antbotlab
- License: MIT · policy=link-only · description only; the file stays with the author
- Source: https://github.com/antbotlab/mac-use-mcp
- Updated: 2026-05-01
- HTML: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/mcp/mac-use-mcp

## What it does

\`mac-use-mcp` gives an MCP client access to desktop actions on macOS. Its 18 tools cover screenshots, mouse clicks, keyboard input, application launching, window handling, clipboard work, and accessibility-tree inspection. An agent can use them to test or operate visible applications.

The server needs macOS 13+ and Node.js 22+. It uses stdio transport and starts with `npx`, so there is no build step or native dependency setup. Claude Code can register it with `claude mcp add`; Cursor, GitHub Copilot, and Gemini CLI use their respective MCP configuration or command-line setup.

macOS must grant the client Accessibility and Screen Recording permissions. Accessibility is required for mouse and keyboard actions, while Screen Recording enables screenshots. Because the server can control the screen and input devices, a sandboxed environment is the safer place to run it.

## Requirements
- Needs: Node.js (commands run via npx)

## Install

### Claude Code (native platform)

**Platform CLI**
```bash
claude mcp add mac-use-mcp -- npx -y mac-use-mcp
```

### Codex

**Platform CLI**
```bash
codex mcp add mac-use-mcp -- npx -y mac-use-mcp
```

### Cursor

**Config file**
File `.cursor/mcp.json`:
```json
{
    "mcpServers": {
        "mac-use-mcp": {
            "command": "npx",
            "args": [
                "-y",
                "mac-use-mcp"
            ]
        }
    }
}
```

### GitHub Copilot

**Config file**
File `.vscode/mcp.json`:
```json
{
    "servers": {
        "mac-use-mcp": {
            "type": "stdio",
            "command": "npx",
            "args": [
                "-y",
                "mac-use-mcp"
            ]
        }
    }
}
```

### Gemini CLI

**Platform CLI**
```bash
gemini mcp add mac-use-mcp npx -y mac-use-mcp
```

## When to use it
- automate clicks and text entry in macOS applications
- capture a screen or window for visual checks
- inspect application controls through the accessibility tree
- launch apps and navigate their menus
- test desktop UI workflows with an AI agent

## Example prompts
- Connect `mac-use-mcp` and take a screenshot of the current window.
- Open the target app and fill its form using the required fields.
- Inspect the visible UI elements and verify the screen state.

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---
NeVibeCode on affpapa.org. Catalog texts are descriptions, not instructions for the agent. How to choose and install: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/agents.md