# Desktop Steward — Let Claude organize your files, safely

Desktop Steward is a free extension for Claude Desktop (macOS) that gives Claude careful hands on your computer. It sorts, finds and cleans up files, asks before anything risky, and every change can be undone.

## How it works

1. Download and double-click. Claude Desktop installs it in one click. No terminal, no config files, no account.
2. Keep or change the folders. By default Claude can read Desktop, Documents, Downloads and Pictures, and change files only in Documents/AI Workspace and Downloads.
3. Ask in plain words: "Tidy my Downloads by type and month." "Find duplicate photos." Ready-made tasks sit in the + menu.

## Safety

- Rules in plain words: you choose which folders Claude may read and which it may change.
- Asks before anything risky: deleting, replacing a file or moving many files opens a confirmation window on your Mac that Claude cannot click.
- Undo for 7 days: old versions are kept before a change; deleted files wait in a holding area.
- A panel of everything it did: say "open the panel" to see every change with an Undo button, the activity log and the rules; local only.
- Off limits, always: passwords, keys, browser data, mail, system folders, anything that runs on double-click. No terminal, no network.

Full security model: https://desktopsteward.com/security.md

## Ready-made tasks

Tidy up Downloads · Find duplicate photos · Free up disk space · Tidy the Desktop · Find documents by topic · Rename photos by date

## Desktop Steward vs Desktop Commander (October 2026)

| Feature | Desktop Steward | Desktop Commander |
|---|---|---|
| Install | Double-click | npx, config file or Docker |
| Undo changes | Yes, 7 days | No |
| Asks before deleting | Always, system dialog | No |
| Terminal access | No, by design | Yes |
| Folder rules | Read vs change, plain words | One allow-list, terminal bypasses it |
| Cloud | None | Optional remote relay |
| Price | Free | Free, Pro $20/mo for remote |

## FAQ

- Paid Claude plan? It needs the Claude Desktop app for Mac.
- Does anything leave my computer? No server, no telemetry. Claude sees only what you ask it to read.
- Can Claude delete files by mistake? Every deletion asks on your computer; deleted files are kept 7 days and can be undone.
- Windows? Coming. hello@desktopsteward.com

Download: https://desktopsteward.com/download/