# Claude-Desktop-Bridge

Local MCP server that gives Claude Desktop's Chat and Code tabs a shared, persistent note vault. Claude pulls only what it needs via five tools — `save_note`, `get_notes`, `search_notes`, `update_note`, `delete_note` — instead of re-deriving context after every tab switch.

## Install

1. Download `claude-desktop-bridge.mcpb` from [Releases](https://github.com/KiMiGuel/Indepentest-CDB/releases/latest).
2. Drag it onto the Claude Desktop window — or Settings → Extensions → Advanced settings → Install Extension…
3. No configuration. The vault lives at `~/.claude-bridge/vault.db`.

## Tools

| Tool | Description |
|---|---|
| `save_note` | Save a new note (title, content, optional tags, optional project) |
| `get_notes` | Retrieve notes by id, tags, or project, most recent first |
| `search_notes` | Full-text search over note titles and content |
| `update_note` | Update an existing note's title, content, tags, or project |
| `delete_note` | Permanently delete a note by id |

Notes carry an optional `project` field, so work across multiple codebases stays separated — each project's notes filter independently.

## Use it

Talk normally in either tab — Claude calls the tools on its own when useful. You never invoke anything manually.

- **Proactive, not automatic-automatic.** Claude decides what's worth saving or searching — it's not logging every message. Say "remember this for later" when you want something kept.
- **Tag by project** when working across codebases, so a search in one repo's context doesn't surface another's notes.
- **Chat tab "Projects" don't auto-link to a Code tab folder.** Put it in that Project's Custom Instructions: "This project corresponds to the `my-repo` codebase; use Claude-Desktop-Bridge with `project: 'my-repo'`."

## Where this works

| Surface | Works out of the box? |
|---|---|
| Claude Desktop — Chat tab | ✅ Yes |
| Claude Desktop — Code tab (local sessions) | ✅ Yes |
| Standalone `claude` CLI (terminal, Desktop not required) | ⚠️ Needs one extra step |
| Claude Code on the Web / cloud sessions | ❌ Not available (local-only server) |

The standalone CLI doesn't read Desktop's extension config. Register it explicitly:

```bash
# macOS or WSL — imports every MCP server Desktop has configured
claude mcp add-from-claude-desktop

# Any platform, including Linux — register this repo's built server:
claude mcp add --scope user claude-desktop-bridge -- node /path/to/claude-desktop-bridge/server/index.js
```

`--scope user` makes it available in every terminal project. It reads the same `~/.claude-bridge/vault.db` as the Desktop extension, so notes are shared.

> **Want notes to cost fewer tokens?** [cdb-companion](https://github.com/KiMiGuel/indepentest-skills/tree/main/cdb-companion) compresses content before it hits `save_note`/`update_note`.

## Building from source

```bash
npm install
npm run build   # bundles src/index.ts -> server/index.js
npm run pack     # produces claude-desktop-bridge.mcpb
```

Requires Node.js 22+ (built-in `node:sqlite`). Claude Desktop's own Node runtime runs the extension — end users need no Node install. Gates: `npm ci` + `npm test` (see `.github/workflows/npm-project.yml`).

## Configuration

- **Vault** → `~/.claude-bridge/vault.db` (local SQLite). Uninstalling the extension keeps the file; notes persist until deleted via `delete_note` or by removing the file.
- **Network** → none. No server component, no outbound requests, no analytics or telemetry.

## Contribute

Open an issue to discuss before a PR. Edit `src/index.ts` — `server/index.js` is generated. PRs must pass `npm ci` + `npm test`.

## License

MIT