MCP Macos README
The full upstream README, mirrored here for reference. Install config, tool schemas, adoption signals, and an original overview live on the MCP Macos listing page.
mcp-macos
A safe-by-default Model Context Protocol server that lets an agent observe and operate a Mac — read files, list processes and apps, take screenshots (read-only); write files, set the clipboard, post notifications, open things (read-write); and, behind explicit opt-ins, run commands / AppleScript, delete to Trash, kill processes and drive the GUI (admin).
It starts read-only. Every high-impact power needs both admin mode and its own flag, and the most dangerous ones ask the human to approve each call. Part of the dockndevai MCP server suite — one governance model across all of them.
Pure Node +
osascript/screencapture— no native add-ons. macOS only.
What it gives an agent
The server starts read-only (see Safe by default); higher-capability tools are only registered when you raise the mode.
| Tool | For | Needs mode |
|---|---|---|
system_info | macOS version, hardware, memory, load, uptime | read-only |
list_directory / read_file | browse & read files (path-allowlisted) | read-only |
list_processes | running processes by CPU/mem | read-only |
get_clipboard | read the clipboard | read-only |
list_apps / get_frontmost_app | running apps; the active one | read-only |
screenshot | capture the screen as a PNG | read-only |
write_file | create/overwrite a file (confirms on overwrite) | read-write |
set_clipboard / notify / open | set clipboard, notify, open a file/URL/app | read-write |
run_command | run a program (argv, no shell) | admin + MACOS_ALLOW_EXEC |
run_applescript | run AppleScript / JXA | admin + MACOS_ALLOW_EXEC |
kill_process | signal a process | admin + MACOS_ALLOW_EXEC |
delete_path | move a path to the Trash | admin + MACOS_ALLOW_DELETE |
type_text / key_press / click / move_mouse | drive the GUI | admin + MACOS_ALLOW_INPUT |
Install
Requires macOS and Node ≥ 22. click/move_mouse also need cliclick (brew install cliclick).
Configure
See docs/CLIENTS.md for Claude Code / Cursor / Codex / VS Code / Windsurf snippets, and .env.example for every supported variable.
Safe by default
This server can drive an entire Mac, so the access model (enforced by src/security.ts) is deliberately strict — defence in depth, not documentation:
| Question | Setting | Default | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| What can it do at all? | MACOS_MODE | read-only | read-only observes; read-write writes files/clipboard/opens; admin adds exec/delete/kill/GUI. Tools above the mode are never registered. |
| Which paths can it touch? | MACOS_PATH_ALLOWLIST | (anywhere) | Comma-separated roots. When set, any file op outside them is refused. |
| Which paths are read-only forever? | MACOS_PROTECTED_PATHS | system + secrets | /System, /usr, /bin, /sbin, /private, /Library, ~/.ssh, ~/.aws, ~/.gnupg, ~/Library/Keychains — readable, never mutated. |
| Can it run commands? | MACOS_ALLOW_EXEC | false | Gates run_command, run_applescript, kill_process (on top of admin). |
| Restrict which programs? | MACOS_COMMAND_ALLOWLIST | (any) | When set, run_command may only invoke these program names. |
| Can it delete? | MACOS_ALLOW_DELETE | false | Gates delete_path (moves to the Trash, recoverable). |
| Can it drive the GUI? | MACOS_ALLOW_INPUT | false | Gates type_text/key_press/click/move_mouse. |
| Preview without doing | MACOS_DRY_RUN | false | Mutating tools validate + log intent, then return. |
| Audit trail | MACOS_AUDIT_LOG | true | JSON line to stderr per guarded operation (ALLOW/DENY/DRY_RUN). |
| Interactive confirmation | (automatic) | — | run_command, run_applescript, delete_path, kill_process and file overwrites ask the human to approve via MCP elicitation before running; clients without elicitation fall back to the flags. |
See SECURITY.md.
macOS permissions
The host process (your terminal / MCP client) must be granted, in System Settings → Privacy & Security:
- Screen Recording — for
screenshot. - Accessibility — for
type_text/key_press/click/move_mouse. - Automation (per-app prompts) — for
run_applescriptand app control. - Files and Folders / Full Disk Access — to read/write outside the default sandbox.
You'll be prompted the first time each is needed; nothing works around a permission you haven't granted.
Developing
Licence
MIT