Use Claude on the web and phone with the files on your computer

What you need

• A Mac or Windows computer that stays on while you use it.
• A Claude plan with connectors. On Team and Enterprise an owner may need to allow Desktop Steward first.
• The Desktop Steward app on the computer: a free download that runs on its own.

Step 1 — install Desktop Steward on the computer

1. Download the Desktop Steward app for Mac or Windows and open it. An icon appears in the menu bar or tray and the panel opens in your browser.
2. In the panel press Turn on and choose the Claude tab.
3. You get an address (https://relay.desktopsteward.com/mcp) and a one-time code of 8 digits, valid 10 minutes.

Step 2 — connect Claude

1. On claude.ai open Settings → Connectors, press Browse connectors and find Desktop Steward. Press Connect.
2. Claude opens the Desktop Steward sign-in page. Type the 8 digits and press Connect.
3. In a chat, open the tools menu (the + or the sliders icon next to the message box) and make sure Desktop Steward is on. The connector also works in the Claude app on your phone and in Claude Desktop.
4. Desktop Steward not in the list? Press Add custom connector instead, name it “Desktop Steward” and use the address https://relay.desktopsteward.com/mcp.

Step 3 — ask

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

How it runs on the computer

The Desktop Steward app sits in the menu bar or tray, starts at login and keeps an outgoing connection to the Desktop Steward relay; Claude reaches your computer through it. Nothing is opened on your network, and the relay stores no file content. If you also use the extension in Claude Desktop, both share the same folders, rules and history.

If something does not work

• Desktop Steward is not in the connectors list — on Team and Enterprise an owner may need to allow it first; or add it as a custom connector (step 2).
• “The computer is offline” — the computer is asleep or the Desktop Steward app is closed. Open it and try again.
• “That code did not work” — codes expire after 10 minutes and work once. On the computer, open the panel from the icon and press New code.
• Claude does not use the connector — switch it on for the chat in the tools menu, or ask explicitly: “use Desktop Steward to list my Downloads”.

Price

Remote access, which the connector uses, is free for 7 days on every computer, then 300 tool calls a month. Desktop Steward Pro makes it unlimited: $10 a month for up to 3 computers, cancel any time. Using Desktop Steward as an extension inside Claude Desktop stays free.