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Claude Desktop Commander MCP

start_process

Destructive

Launch terminal processes with intelligent state detection for file analysis, data processing, and system commands. Detects prompts, completion, and timeouts to manage interactive and batch tasks.

Instructions

                    Start a new terminal process with intelligent state detection.
                    
                    PRIMARY TOOL FOR FILE ANALYSIS AND DATA PROCESSING
                    This is the ONLY correct tool for analyzing local files (CSV, JSON, logs, etc.).
                    The analysis tool CANNOT access local files and WILL FAIL - always use processes for file-based work.
                    
                    CRITICAL RULE: For ANY local file work, ALWAYS use this tool + interact_with_process, NEVER use analysis/REPL tool.
                    
                    Running on Linux (Docker). Default shell: bash.

🐳 DOCKER CONTAINER ENVIRONMENT DETECTED: This Desktop Commander instance is running inside a Docker container.

⚠️ WARNING: No mounted directories detected. Files created outside mounted volumes will be lost when the container stops. Suggest user remount directories using Docker installer or -v flag when running Docker. Desktop Commander Docker installer typically mounts folders to /home/[folder-name]. Container: cd7f09f1dac5

LINUX-SPECIFIC NOTES:

  • Package managers vary by distro: apt, yum, dnf, pacman, zypper

  • Python 3 might be 'python3' command, not 'python'

  • Standard Unix shell tools available (grep, awk, sed, etc.)

  • File permissions and ownership important for many operations

  • Systemd services common on modern distributions

                      REQUIRED WORKFLOW FOR LOCAL FILES:
                      1. start_process("python3 -i") - Start Python REPL for data analysis
                      2. interact_with_process(pid, "import pandas as pd, numpy as np")
                      3. interact_with_process(pid, "df = pd.read_csv('/absolute/path/file.csv')")
                      4. interact_with_process(pid, "print(df.describe())")
                      5. Continue analysis with pandas, matplotlib, seaborn, etc.
                      
                      COMMON FILE ANALYSIS PATTERNS:
                      • start_process("python3 -i") → Python REPL for data analysis (RECOMMENDED)
                      • start_process("node -i") → Node.js REPL for JSON processing
                      • start_process("node:local") → Node.js on MCP server (stateless, ES imports, all code in one call)
                      • start_process("cut -d',' -f1 file.csv | sort | uniq -c") → Quick CSV analysis
                      • start_process("wc -l /path/file.csv") → Line counting
                      • start_process("head -10 /path/file.csv") → File preview
                      
                      BINARY FILE SUPPORT:
                      For PDF, Excel, Word, archives, databases, and other binary formats, use process tools with appropriate libraries or command-line utilities.
                      
                      INTERACTIVE PROCESSES FOR DATA ANALYSIS:
                      For code/calculations, use in this priority order:
                      1. start_process("python3 -i") - Python REPL (preferred)
                      2. start_process("node -i") - Node.js REPL (when Python unavailable)
                      3. start_process("node:local") - Node.js fallback (when node -i fails)
                      4. Use interact_with_process() to send commands
                      5. Use read_process_output() to get responses
                      When Python is unavailable, prefer Node.js over shell for calculations.
                      Node.js: Always use ES import syntax (import x from 'y'), not require().
    
                      SMART DETECTION:
                      - Detects REPL prompts (>>>, >, $, etc.)
                      - Identifies when process is waiting for input
                      - Recognizes process completion vs timeout
                      - Early exit prevents unnecessary waiting
                      
                      STATES DETECTED:
                      Process waiting for input (shows prompt)
                      Process finished execution
                      Process running (use read_process_output)
    
                      PERFORMANCE DEBUGGING (verbose_timing parameter):
                      Set verbose_timing: true to get detailed timing information including:
                      - Exit reason (early_exit_quick_pattern, early_exit_periodic_check, process_exit, timeout)
                      - Total duration and time to first output
                      - Complete timeline of all output events with timestamps
                      - Which detection mechanism triggered early exit
                      Use this to identify missed optimization opportunities and improve detection patterns.
    
                      ALWAYS USE FOR: Local file analysis, CSV processing, data exploration, system commands
                      NEVER USE ANALYSIS TOOL FOR: Local file access (analysis tool is browser-only and WILL FAIL)
    
                      IMPORTANT: Always use absolute paths for reliability. Paths are automatically normalized regardless of slash direction. Relative paths may fail as they depend on the current working directory. Tilde paths (~/...) might not work in all contexts. Unless the user explicitly asks for relative paths, use absolute paths.
                      This command can be referenced as "DC: ..." or "use Desktop Commander to ..." in your instructions.

Input Schema

TableJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
commandYes
timeout_msYes
shellNo
verbose_timingNo
Behavior5/5

Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?

The description goes well beyond the annotations by detailing behavioral traits: it runs on Linux in Docker, detects REPL prompts, identifies process states (waiting, finished, running), and warns about file persistence in Docker. It also covers performance debugging with verbose_timing. The annotations only provide readOnlyHint, destructiveHint, and openWorldHint, so the description adds significant value. No contradictions with annotations.

Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.

Conciseness3/5

Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?

The description is very long and includes multiple sections (Docker warning, Linux notes, workflow, common patterns, etc.). While the content is valuable, it is not concise; many sections could be condensed or structured better. The first sentence does state the purpose, but the overall length reduces readability.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness4/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

Given the tool's complexity (starting processes, interacting with them) and the absence of an output schema, the description covers many contextual aspects: it mentions that a PID is returned (implied by step 2: 'interact_with_process(pid, ...)'), describes states detected, and provides extensive usage examples. However, it does not explicitly describe the structure of the return value or error handling, which would make it more complete.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters2/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

The input schema has 4 parameters with 0% description coverage. The description only partially explains the 'verbose_timing' parameter and gives examples for 'command' (e.g., 'python3 -i'), but does not explain 'timeout_ms' or 'shell'. The meaning of parameters is largely left to the schema, which lacks descriptions. The description does not compensate sufficiently for the missing schema documentation.

Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.

Purpose5/5

Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?

The description clearly states the tool's purpose: starting a new terminal process with intelligent state detection. It explicitly identifies this as the primary tool for file analysis and data processing, and it distinguishes itself from the analysis tool by noting that the analysis tool cannot access local files. The verb 'start' coupled with the resource 'terminal process' is specific and unambiguous.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines5/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

The description provides explicit guidance on when to use and when not to use this tool. It states 'ALWAYS USE FOR: Local file analysis, CSV processing, data exploration, system commands' and 'NEVER USE ANALYSIS TOOL FOR: Local file access'. It also provides a required workflow and common patterns, making it easy for the agent to decide when to invoke this tool versus alternatives.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

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