Computer-Use - Remote MacOS Use

What is mcp-remote-macos-use?

mcp-remote-macos-use is an open-source MCP (Model Context Protocol) server that allows AI agents, specifically through the Claude Desktop App, to fully control remote macOS systems. It serves as a direct alternative to OpenAI Operator, providing a complete desktop experience optimized for autonomous AI agents without requiring additional software installation or extra API keys.

How to use mcp-remote-macos-use?

To use mcp-remote-macos-use, you need to:

1. Enable Screen Sharing on your target Mac (or use a service like macstadium.com).
2. Connect to your remote Mac.
3. Install Docker Desktop on your local Mac.
4. Add this MCP server to your Claude Desktop configuration. This involves configuring Claude Desktop to use the Docker image with environment variables for your macOS username, password, and host.

Key Features of mcp-remote-macos-use

• No Extra API Costs: Utilizes your existing Claude Pro plan for free screen processing.
• Minimal Setup: Requires only Screen Sharing to be enabled on the target Mac.
• Universal Compatibility: Works with all current and future macOS versions.
• Native macOS Experience: Enables AI to operate within the macOS ecosystem with full fluency.
• Open Architecture: Compatible with any MCP Client and flexible with various LLM providers (OpenAI, Anthropic, etc.).
• Effortless Deployment: No background applications or agents needed on macOS; only Screen Sharing is required.
• Streamlined Bootstrap Process: Leverages Claude Desktop's UI for an intuitive user experience.
• WebRTC Support: Integrates with LiveKit for low-latency, real-time screen sharing, improved performance, and better network efficiency.

Use Cases of mcp-remote-macos-use

• Research and Social Media Management: Automate tasks like researching Twitter and posting, or engaging on LinkedIn and Twitter (following, liking, commenting).
• Content Creation: Use applications like CapCut to create short highlight videos.
• Recruitment: Automate candidate information collection, application qualification, and sending screening sessions via Mail App.
• General AI Agent Control: Provides full control over local and remote macOS machines for various AI-driven tasks.

FAQ from mcp-remote-macos-use

Q: Does this project require extra API keys? A: No, it does not require extra API keys. It utilizes your existing Claude Pro plan for screen processing.

Q: What macOS versions are supported? A: It has universal compatibility and works with all current and future macOS versions.

Q: What authentication protocols are supported? A: Currently, only Apple Authentication (protocol 30) is supported.

Q: How does it handle security? A: It supports protocol 30, which uses the Diffie-Hellman key agreement protocol with a 512-bit prime. It's crucial to use secure, authenticated connections and only with trusted servers you have permission to access.

MCP Server - Remote MacOs Use

The first open-source MCP server that enables AI to fully control remote macOS systems.

A direct alternative to OpenAI Operator, optimized specifically for autonomous AI agents with complete desktop capabilities, requiring no additional software installation.

Showcases

• Research Twitter and Post Twitter(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--QHz2jcvcs)

• Use CapCut to create short highlight video(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKAqiNoU8ec)

• AI Recruiter: Automated candidate information collection, qualifying applications and sending screening sessions using Mail App

• AI Marketing Intern: LinkedIn engagement - automated following, liking, and commenting with relevant users

• AI Marketing Intern: Twitter engagement - automated following, liking, and commenting with relevant users

To-Do List (Prioritized)

1. Performance Optimization - Match speed of Ubuntu desktop alternatives
2. Apple Scripts Generation - Reduce execution time while maintaining flexibility
3. VNC Cursor Visibility - Improve debugging and demo experience

We welcome contributions!

Features

• No Extra API Costs: Free screen processing with your existing Claude Pro plan
• Minimal Setup: Just enable Screen Sharing on the target Mac – no additional software needed
• Universal Compatibility: Works with all macOS versions, current and future

Why We Built This

Native macOS Experience Without Compromise

The macOS native ecosystem remains unmatched in user experience today and will continue to be the gold standard for years to come. This is where human capabilities truly thrive, and now your AI can operate in this environment with the same fluency.

Open Architecture By Design

• Universal LLM Compatibility: Work with any MCP Client of your choice
• Model Flexibility: Seamlessly integrate with OpenAI, Anthropic, or any other LLM provider
• Future-Proof Integration: Designed to evolve with the MCP ecosystem

Effortless Deployment

• Zero Setup on Target Machines: No background applications or agents needed on macOS
• Screen Sharing is All You Need: Control any Mac with Screen Sharing enabled
• Eliminate Backend Complexity: Unlike other solutions that require running Python applications or background services

Streamlined Bootstrap Process

• Leverage Claude Desktop's Polished UI: No need for developer-style Python interfaces
• Intuitive User Experience: Interact with your AI-controlled Mac through a familiar, user-friendly interface
• Instant Productivity: Start working immediately without configuration hassles

Architecture

Installation

• Enable Screen Sharing on MacOs If you rent a mac from macstadium.com, you can skip this step
• Connect to your remote MacOs
• Install Docker Desktop for local Mac
• Add this MCP server to Claude Desktop You can configure Claude Desktop to use the Docker image by adding the following to your Claude configuration:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "remote-macos-use": {
      "command": "docker",
      "args": [
        "run",
        "-i",
        "-e",
        "MACOS_USERNAME=your_macos_username",
        "-e",
        "MACOS_PASSWORD=your_macos_password",
        "-e",
        "MACOS_HOST=your_macos_hostname_or_ip",
        "--rm",
        "buryhuang/mcp-remote-macos-use:latest"
      ]
    }
  }
}

WebRTC Support via LiveKit

This server now includes WebRTC support through LiveKit integration, enabling:

• Low-latency real-time screen sharing
• Improved performance and responsiveness
• Better network efficiency compared to traditional VNC
• Automatic quality adaptation based on network conditions

To use WebRTC features, you'll need to:

1. Set up a LiveKit server or use LiveKit Cloud
2. Configure the LiveKit environment variables as shown in the configuration example above

Developer Instruction

Clone the repo

# Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/yourusername/mcp-remote-macos-use.git
cd mcp-remote-macos-use

Building the Docker Image

# Build the Docker image
docker build -t mcp-remote-macos-use .

Cross-Platform Publishing

To publish the Docker image for multiple platforms, you can use the docker buildx command. Follow these steps:

1. Create a new builder instance (if you haven't already):

   docker buildx create --use
   

2. Build and push the image for multiple platforms:

   docker buildx build --platform linux/amd64,linux/arm64 -t buryhuang/mcp-remote-macos-use:latest --push .
   

3. Verify the image is available for the specified platforms:

   docker buildx imagetools inspect buryhuang/mcp-remote-macos-use:latest
   

Usage

The server provides Remote MacOs functionality through MCP tools.

Tools Specifications

The server provides the following tools for remote macOS control:

remote_macos_get_screen

Connect to a remote macOS machine and get a screenshot of the remote desktop. Uses environment variables for connection details.

remote_macos_send_keys

Send keyboard input to a remote macOS machine. Uses environment variables for connection details.

remote_macos_mouse_move

Move the mouse cursor to specified coordinates on a remote macOS machine, with automatic coordinate scaling. Uses environment variables for connection details.

remote_macos_mouse_click

Perform a mouse click at specified coordinates on a remote macOS machine, with automatic coordinate scaling. Uses environment variables for connection details.

remote_macos_mouse_double_click

Perform a mouse double-click at specified coordinates on a remote macOS machine, with automatic coordinate scaling. Uses environment variables for connection details.

remote_macos_mouse_scroll

Perform a mouse scroll at specified coordinates on a remote macOS machine, with automatic coordinate scaling. Uses environment variables for connection details.

remote_macos_open_application

Opens/activates an application and returns its PID for further interactions.

remote_macos_mouse_drag_n_drop

Perform a mouse drag operation from start point and drop to end point on a remote macOS machine, with automatic coordinate scaling.

All tools use the environment variables configured during setup instead of requiring connection parameters.

Limitations

• Authentication Support:
  • Only Apple Authentication (protocol 30) is supported

Security Note

https://support.apple.com/guide/remote-desktop/encrypt-network-data-apdfe8e386b/mac https://cafbit.com/post/apple_remote_desktop_quirks/

We only support protocol 30, which uses the Diffie-Hellman key agreement protocol with a 512-bit prime. This protocol is used by macOS 11 to macOS 12 when communicating with OS X 10.11 or earlier clients.

Here's the information converted to a markdown table:

macOS version running Remote Desktop	macOS client version	Authentication	Control and Observe	Copy items or install package	All other tasks	Protocol Version
macOS 13	macOS 13	2048-bit RSA host keys	2048-bit RSA host keys	2048-bit RSA host keys to authenticate, then 128-bit AES	2048-bit RSA host keys	36
macOS 13	macOS 10.12	Secure Remote Password (SRP) protocol for local only. Diffie-Hellman (DH) if bound to LDAP or macOS server is version 10.11 or earlier	SRP or DH,128-bit AES	SRP or DH to authenticate, then 128-bit AES	2048-bit RSA host keys	35
macOS 11 to macOS 12	macOS 10.12 to macOS 13	Secure Remote Password (SRP) protocol for local only, Diffie-Hellman if bound to LDAP	SRP or DH 1024-bit, 128-bit AES	2048-bit RSA host keys macOS 13 to macOS 10.13	2048-bit RSA host keys macOS 10.13 or later	33
macOS 11 to macOS 12	OS X 10.11 or earlier	DH 1024-bit	DH 1024-bit, 128-bit AES	Diffie-Hellman Key agreement protocol with a 512-bit prime	Diffie-Hellman Key agreement protocol with a 512-bit prime	30

Always use secure, authenticated connections when accessing remote remote MacOs machines. This tool should only be used with servers you trust and have permission to access.

License

See the LICENSE file for details.