trycua--cua/libs/python/mcp-server/desktop-extension/README.md

Cua Desktop Extension

This directory contains the build artifacts for the Cua Desktop Extension (.mcpb file).

Building the Extension

To build the extension, run the build script from the parent directory:

cd /path/to/libs/python/mcp-server
python3 build-extension.py

This will:

1. Copy the MCP server code from mcp_server/ directory
2. Copy static files (manifest, icons, scripts)
3. Create a .mcpb zip archive in desktop-extension/cua-extension.mcpb
4. Set custom file icon (platform-specific):
   • macOS: Uses fileicon (install with brew install fileicon)
   • Windows/Linux: Not yet supported

Directory Structure

desktop-extension/
├── README.md              # This file
├── manifest.json          # Extension manifest
├── desktop_extension.png  # Extension icon
├── requirements.txt       # Python dependencies
├── run_server.sh          # Server launcher script
├── setup.py               # Dependency installer
└── cua-extension.mcpb     # Generated extension archive

Source Files

The actual MCP server code lives in ../mcp_server/:

• server.py - Main MCP server implementation
• session_manager.py - Session management and resource pooling

Static Files

These files are maintained in this directory:

• manifest.json - Extension metadata and configuration
• desktop_extension.png - Extension icon
• requirements.txt - Python package dependencies
• run_server.sh - Shell script to launch the server
• setup.py - Python script to install dependencies

Generated Files

The .mcpb file is generated by the build script and is gitignored.

Installing the Extension

Once built, you can install the extension in Claude Desktop by:

1. Opening Claude Desktop Settings
2. Going to the Extensions section
3. Dropping the cua-extension.mcpb file into the window
4. Following the installation prompts

For more information, see the Anthropic Desktop Extensions documentation.