Claude Desktop Config Manager

What is Claude Desktop Config Manager?

Claude Desktop Config Manager is a lightweight, command-line tool for managing Claude Desktop MCP (Model Context Protocol) configurations. It allows users to toggle MCP servers on and off, create preset configurations, and manage backups — designed for anyone using Claude Desktop who wants fine‑grained control over their MCP setup.

How to use Claude Desktop Config Manager?

Install Node.js (v12 or higher) and ensure Claude Desktop is installed. Download the claude-config-manager.js file, open it in a text editor, update the CLAUDE_DIR value to match your Claude installation path, then run node claude-config-manager.js from the command line. The tool presents a main menu with options for toggling MCPs, saving/loading presets, creating custom configurations, and managing backups.

Key features of Claude Desktop Config Manager

• Toggle individual MCP servers on or off
• Save and load configuration presets
• Create custom configurations with intelligent recommendations
• Automatic and manual timestamped backups
• Restore configurations from any backup
• Validate and fix JSON syntax/structure errors
• Color‑coded console interface for readability

Use cases of Claude Desktop Config Manager

• Quickly enable or disable MCP servers without editing JSON files manually
• Save different presets for different workflows (e.g., development, testing)
• Create a custom configuration by selecting only the MCPs you need
• Backup your configuration before making changes and restore if something goes wrong
• Repair a broken configuration file due to JSON syntax errors

FAQ from Claude Desktop Config Manager

What are the requirements to run Claude Desktop Config Manager?

Node.js version 12 or higher and Claude Desktop must be installed. The tool directly manipulates the Claude Desktop configuration file.

How does the tool handle configuration changes?

It organizes MCPs into two categories: mcpServers (active/enabled) and disabledMcpServers (inactive/disabled). Only enabled MCPs are used by Claude Desktop, while disabled ones remain available for future activation.

Can I restore a previous configuration?

Yes. The tool automatically creates backups whenever you change your configuration. You can also create manual timestamped backups, view all backups, restore from any backup, or delete old ones.

What should I do if my configuration file has JSON errors?

Use the "Check/Fix Config File" option in the main menu. It can automatically repair common issues such as trailing commas, missing commas between properties, and invalid structure.

Does the tool require an internet connection or authentication?

No. All operations are performed locally on the configuration file — no internet connection or authentication is needed.