ChatGPT

Use ChatGPT with the files on your computer

ChatGPT cannot see your disk on its own. Desktop Steward gives it careful hands: your folders, your rules, a confirmation window before anything risky, and undo. Here is the whole path, about ten minutes once.

What you need

  • A Mac or Windows computer that stays on while you use it.
  • A ChatGPT plan with connectors: Plus, Pro, Business or Enterprise. (Free cannot add custom connectors yet.)
  • Claude Desktop on the computer: Desktop Steward runs inside it. A free Claude account is enough; you never have to chat with Claude. Download Claude Desktop.

Step 1 — install Desktop Steward on the computer

  1. Download the file for Mac or Windows and double-click it. Claude Desktop opens and installs it. Press Save.
  2. Open a new chat in Claude Desktop and type “Turn on remote access”.
  3. You get an address (https://relay.desktopsteward.com/mcp) and a one-time code of 8 digits, valid 10 minutes.

Step 2 — connect ChatGPT

  1. In ChatGPT open Settings → Connectors. If there is no Create button, open Advanced and turn on Developer mode.
  2. Press Create. Name: “My computer”. MCP server URL: https://relay.desktopsteward.com/mcp. Authentication: OAuth. Save.
  3. ChatGPT opens the Desktop Steward sign-in page. Type the 8 digits and press Connect.
  4. Back in ChatGPT, start a chat, open the tools menu (the + or “…” next to the message box) and switch on “My computer”.

Step 3 — ask

What is in my Downloads folder?

ChatGPT lists the folder from the computer.

Combine the three scans from today into one PDF.

ChatGPT finds them, shows the page order, and creates the PDF in Documents/AI Workspace.

The same folders and rules as in Claude. Deleting, replacing or moving many files opens the confirmation window on the computer; ChatGPT waits for your answer.

Why Claude Desktop is still needed

Desktop Steward runs on your computer as an extension inside Claude Desktop, which starts it and keeps it running. ChatGPT reaches it through the Desktop Steward relay. A standalone version that needs no Claude Desktop is planned; until then Claude Desktop is the free host, nothing more.

If something does not work

  • No “Create” button — Developer mode is off (Settings → Connectors → Advanced), or the plan does not include connectors.
  • “The computer is offline” — the computer is asleep or Claude Desktop is closed. Open it and try again.
  • “That code did not work” — codes expire after 10 minutes and work once. On the computer: “show remote access code”.
  • ChatGPT does not use the connector — switch it on for the chat in the tools menu, or ask explicitly: “use My computer to list my Downloads”.

Price

Remote access, which ChatGPT uses, is part of Desktop Steward Pro: $10 a month, first 7 days free on every computer, cancel any time. Using Desktop Steward inside Claude Desktop stays free.

Start on the computer

Install Desktop Steward, say “turn on remote access”, connect ChatGPT with the code.

Download for Mac or Windows