claude-desktop

What this skill does

# Claude Desktop Meta Skill

## MANDATORY: Invoke docs-management First

> **STOP - Before providing ANY response about Claude Desktop:**
>
> 1. **INVOKE** `docs-management` skill
> 2. **QUERY** for the user's specific topic
> 3. **BASE** all responses EXCLUSIVELY on official documentation loaded
>
> **Skipping this step results in outdated or incorrect information.**

### Verification Checkpoint

Before responding, verify:

- [ ] Did I invoke docs-management skill?
- [ ] Did official documentation load?
- [ ] Is my response based EXCLUSIVELY on official docs?

If ANY checkbox is unchecked, STOP and invoke docs-management first.

---

## Overview

Central authority for Claude Desktop - the native desktop application for running Claude Code sessions locally or on cloud infrastructure. This skill uses **100% delegation to docs-management** - it contains NO duplicated official documentation.

**Architecture:** Pure delegation with keyword registry. All official documentation is accessed via docs-management skill queries.

## When to Use This Skill

**Keywords:** Claude Desktop, desktop app, desktop application, worktree, worktrees, .worktreeinclude, parallel sessions, cloud session, cloud execution, remote environment, desktop extensions, .mcpb, MCP bundle, bundled version, claude.ai/download, Desktop vs CLI

**Use this skill when:**

- Installing or setting up Claude Desktop
- Configuring Git worktrees for parallel sessions
- Creating .worktreeinclude files
- Starting cloud sessions from Desktop
- Configuring environment variables in Desktop
- Installing Desktop Extensions (.mcpb)
- Understanding Desktop vs CLI differences
- Troubleshooting Desktop-specific issues
- Configuring worktree location

## Keyword Registry for docs-management Queries

Use these keywords when querying docs-management skill for official documentation:

### Installation and Setup

| Topic | Keywords |
| --- | --- |
| Download | "Claude Desktop download", "claude.ai/download" |
| System Requirements | "Desktop system requirements", "macOS Windows requirements" |
| First Launch | "bundled Claude Code version", "Desktop first launch" |
| Version Management | "Desktop version updates", "bundled version" |

### Git Worktrees

| Topic | Keywords |
| --- | --- |
| Parallel Sessions | "parallel local sessions", "Git worktrees Desktop" |
| Worktree Location | "worktree location", "~/.claude-worktrees" |
| .worktreeinclude | ".worktreeinclude file", "copy gitignored files" |
| Worktree Patterns | ".worktreeinclude patterns", ".env worktree" |

### Cloud Sessions

| Topic | Keywords |
| --- | --- |
| Cloud Execution | "cloud session launch", "remote environment Desktop" |
| Teleport | "/teleport command", "teleport cloud session" |
| Remote Environments | "/remote-env", "remote execution" |

### Environment Configuration

| Topic | Keywords |
| --- | --- |
| PATH Extraction | "Desktop PATH extraction", "shell configuration" |
| Custom Variables | "Desktop environment variables", "custom env vars" |
| Multiline Values | "multiline environment variables", "CERT environment" |

### Desktop Extensions

| Topic | Keywords |
| --- | --- |
| MCPB Format | "Desktop extensions", ".mcpb files", "MCP bundle" |
| Installing Extensions | "install Desktop extension", "drag extension" |
| Extension Overview | "one-click MCP installation", "bundled Node.js" |

### Desktop vs CLI

| Topic | Keywords |
| --- | --- |
| Comparison | "Desktop vs CLI", "Claude Desktop comparison" |
| When to Use | "when to use Desktop", "Desktop use cases" |
| Interface | "Desktop interface", "graphical interface" |

### Configuration Files

| Topic | Keywords |
| --- | --- |
| Desktop Config | "claude_desktop_config.json", "Desktop MCP config" |
| Config Location macOS | "~/Library/Application Support/Claude" |
| Config Location Windows | "%APPDATA%\\Claude" |

## Quick Decision Tree

**What do you want to do?**

1. **Install Claude Desktop** -> Query docs-management: "Claude Desktop download", "Desktop system requirements"
2. **Set up parallel sessions** -> Query docs-management: "parallel local sessions", "Git worktrees Desktop"
3. **Configure .worktreeinclude** -> Query docs-management: ".worktreeinclude file", ".worktreeinclude patterns"
4. **Start cloud sessions** -> Query docs-management: "cloud session launch", "remote environment Desktop"
5. **Configure environment variables** -> Query docs-management: "Desktop environment variables", "custom env vars"
6. **Install Desktop Extensions** -> Query docs-management: "Desktop extensions", ".mcpb files"
7. **Choose Desktop vs CLI** -> Query docs-management: "Desktop vs CLI", "Desktop use cases"
8. **Configure MCP in Desktop** -> Query docs-management: "claude_desktop_config.json", "Desktop MCP config"
9. **Troubleshoot issues** -> Query docs-management: "Desktop troubleshooting" + specific issue

## Topic Coverage

### Installation

- Download from claude.ai/download
- macOS Universal build (Intel + Apple Silicon)
- Windows x64 and ARM64 versions
- Windows ARM64 limitation (cloud-only)
- First launch bundled version download
- Automatic version management

### Git Worktrees for Parallel Sessions

- Run multiple Claude Code sessions simultaneously
- Isolated worktree per session
- Default location: ~/.claude-worktrees
- Configurable worktree location
- Git initialization requirement

### .worktreeinclude Configuration

- Copy .gitignored files to worktrees
- .gitignore-style pattern syntax
- Must match BOTH .worktreeinclude AND .gitignore
- Common patterns (.env, .env.local, .env.*, settings.local.json)

### Cloud Sessions

- Launch on Anthropic secure infrastructure
- Select remote environment on session creation
- /teleport command for cloud sessions
- /remote-env command for environment configuration
- claude.ai subscriber features

### Environment Configuration

- Automatic PATH extraction from shell
- Access to yarn, npm, node, development tools
- Custom environment variable configuration
- .env format for key-value pairs
- Multiline value support with quotes

### Desktop Extensions (.mcpb)

- One-click MCP server installation
- File format: .mcpb (MCP Bundle)
- No terminal or manual configuration
- Bundled Node.js runtime
- Drag-and-drop installation

### Desktop vs CLI Differences

- Desktop: Graphical interface, higher control, stability-focused
- CLI: Command-line, agentic behavior, newer features first
- Desktop: Beginners, non-coders, deliberate workflows
- CLI: Professional developers, automation, IDE integration
- Worktrees: Built-in GUI (Desktop) vs manual CLI

## Delegation Patterns

### Standard Query Pattern

```text
User asks: "How do I set up Claude Desktop?"

1. Invoke docs-management skill
2. Use keywords: "Claude Desktop download", "Desktop system requirements"
3. Load official documentation
4. Provide guidance based EXCLUSIVELY on official docs
```

### Multi-Topic Query Pattern

```text
User asks: "I want parallel sessions with my .env files copied"

1. Invoke docs-management skill with multiple queries:
   - "parallel local sessions", "Git worktrees Desktop"
   - ".worktreeinclude file", ".worktreeinclude patterns"
2. Synthesize guidance from official documentation
```

### Troubleshooting Pattern

```text
User reports: "Worktree isn't being created"

1. Invoke docs-management skill
2. Use keywords: "Git worktrees Desktop", "worktree requirements"
3. Check official docs for Git initialization requirement
4. Guide user through setup from official docs
```

## Troubleshooting Quick Reference

| Issue | Keywords for docs-management |
| --- | --- |
| Worktree not created | "Git worktrees Desktop", "Git initialization" |
| Cloud sessions unavailable | "cloud session launch", "remote environment" |
| Extension won't install | "Desktop extensions", ".mcpb files" |
| Environment variables not working | "Desktop environment variables", "PATH extraction" |
| Windows ARM64 local sessions | "Windows ARM64", "Desktop limitations" |
| MCP config location | "claud