Windows Computer Use MCP

A local, dependency-free MCP server that gives a compatible CLI or IDE agent controlled access to the active Windows desktop. It works with Codex CLI, Claude Code CLI, and Google Antigravity because all three support local stdio MCP servers.

The server captures screenshots, lists visible windows, and can launch, focus, click, type, send keys, and request a normal window close. It does not bypass Windows UAC, the lock screen, or secure-desktop prompts.

Requirements

• Windows with an unlocked, active desktop session
• Node.js 20 or later (node --version)
• One of Codex CLI, Claude Code CLI, or Antigravity

No npm packages are required.

Safety configuration

Before granting control, copy config.example.json to config.json, then edit the local copy. Only executable names in allowedApps may be launched, focused, clicked, typed into, sent keys, or closed. The initial allowlist is intentionally empty.

Copy-Item config.example.json config.json

{
  "allowedApps": ["notepad.exe", "msedge.exe", "code.exe"]
}

computer_screenshot and computer_list_windows are read-only. A screenshot can contain any information visible on the desktop and may be sent to the model, so close sensitive material first.

Tools

Tool	Purpose
computer_screenshot	Capture the primary display as a PNG.
computer_list_windows	List visible top-level windows, titles, process names, and handles.
computer_launch_app	Launch an allowlisted executable.
computer_focus_window	Focus an allowlisted visible window.
computer_click	Click an absolute coordinate in an allowlisted foreground app.
computer_type_text	Type text into the allowlisted foreground app.
computer_press_key	Send a SendKeys sequence, such as {ENTER}, ^s, or %{F4}.
computer_close_window	Request a normal close for an allowlisted window.

The model should take one small action, take a new screenshot, and verify the result. Do not allow it to handle passwords, payment flows, healthcare systems, or irreversible actions without direct supervision.

Configure Codex CLI

This machine is already registered globally. To add it on another machine:

codex mcp add windows-computer-use -- node C:\Users\YOUR_USER\windows-computer-use-mcp\windows-computer-use.mjs

Verify it:

codex mcp get windows-computer-use

Start a new Codex CLI session after adding it. Example prompt:

Use computer_launch_app to open notepad.exe, then take a screenshot and stop.

Configure Claude Code CLI

Register it for all your Claude Code projects:

claude mcp add --transport stdio --scope user windows-computer-use -- node C:\Users\YOUR_USER\windows-computer-use-mcp\windows-computer-use.mjs

Verify the connection with:

claude mcp list

Then open a new Claude Code session and use /mcp to inspect its status. To make the configuration project-specific instead, copy examples/claude-code.mcp.json to the project root as .mcp.json, replace YOUR_USER, and approve it in Claude Code.

Configure Antigravity

In Antigravity IDE, open the agent side panel, select More actions > MCP Servers > Manage MCP Servers > View raw config, then add this server to the mcpServers object:

{
  "windows-computer-use": {
    "command": "node",
    "args": ["C:\\Users\\YOUR_USER\\windows-computer-use-mcp\\windows-computer-use.mjs"],
    "cwd": "C:\\Users\\YOUR_USER\\windows-computer-use-mcp"
  }
}

Replace YOUR_USER, save, then reload the server in the MCP Servers panel. The global Antigravity configuration is ~/.gemini/config/mcp_config.json; for a workspace-only setup use .agents/mcp_config.json. A complete copyable example is in examples/antigravity-mcp_config.json.

In Antigravity CLI, run /mcp to open its MCP manager after saving either config.

Troubleshooting

• No windows or blank screenshot: unlock the target Windows session and keep the desktop visible. Windows desktop automation cannot operate through the lock screen or UAC secure desktop.
• App is not allowed: add its executable name, for example notepad.exe, to allowedApps, then restart the client session.
• A tool is absent: restart the CLI/IDE after changing its MCP config and inspect the client MCP status panel or command.
• Click/type fails: focus the app first, confirm it appears in computer_list_windows, then capture a fresh screenshot before retrying.

References

• Claude Code MCP configuration
• Antigravity MCP configuration