Claude Desktop

Claude Desktop can run workonward-mcp as a local stdio server. This setup is separate from Claude.ai remote web connectors: the local server is launched by Claude Desktop on your computer and can use local environment variables.

Reference: Claude Desktop local MCP guidance (opens in a new tab).

Install Locally

cd SDK/mcp
python -m venv .venv
source .venv/bin/activate
pip install -e .
workonward-mcp --check

Use the absolute path to the virtualenv Python in desktop config if the app cannot find python on startup.

Config File

Edit the Claude Desktop config file:

Platform	Path
macOS	`~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json`
Windows	`%APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json`

Add the server:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "workonward": {
      "command": "/absolute/path/to/SDK/mcp/.venv/bin/python",
      "args": ["-m", "workonward_mcp"],
      "env": {
        "WORKONWARD_API_KEY": "YOUR_API_KEY",
        "WORKONWARD_BASE_URL": "https://mail.gitdate.ink",
        "WORKONWARD_MCP_RECIPIENT_ALLOWLIST": "@gitdate\\.ink$|@actualintelligence\\.ink$",
        "WORKONWARD_MCP_DRY_RUN": "1",
        "WORKONWARD_MCP_AUDIT_LOG_PATH": "/tmp/workonward-mcp-audit.jsonl"
      }
    }
  }
}

On Windows, use a Windows path for command, for example:

"command": "C:\\Users\\you\\path\\to\\SDK\\mcp\\.venv\\Scripts\\python.exe"

Restart And Verify

Fully quit Claude Desktop.
Reopen Claude Desktop.
Start a new chat.
Ask Claude to list or use the workonward tools.

Safe prompt:

Use the workonward validate_recipients tool on ["person@gitdate.ink", "blocked@example.com"]. Do not send email.

Then:

Use workonward preview_send for person@gitdate.ink. Do not call send_email.

Local Vs Remote

Setup	Runs where	Best for
Claude Desktop local MCP	Your computer	Personal/local workflows with `stdio`
Claude.ai custom connector	Public HTTPS server	Shared web/mobile connector access through OAuth

Use Claude.ai Web if you need a remote connector that works from Claude.ai and cloud-hosted Claude surfaces.

Troubleshooting

Symptom	Check
Tools do not appear	Restart Claude Desktop after editing config
Module not found	Use the absolute virtualenv Python path in `command`
API key is exposed in config	Store the config securely and restrict local file permissions
All sends are blocked	Confirm `WORKONWARD_MCP_RECIPIENT_ALLOWLIST` and `WORKONWARD_MCP_DRY_RUN`

Claude Code Claude.ai Web