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The Extole CLI can configure Claude Desktop as an MCP client in one command, without manual JSON editing.

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Prerequisites

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Setup

Step 1: Run the setup command in the terminal extole serve This detects your Claude Desktop config file and writes the Extole MCP server entry automatically. Step 2: Restart Claude Desktop Quit and relaunch Claude Desktop. Step 3: Verify Open a new chat and ask about your programs:
“Which programs are active right now?”
Claude will invoke the Extole CLI tools and return results directly in the chat.

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How it works

extole serve runs the CLI as an MCP stdio server. Claude Desktop automatically launches it on startup and can run any CLI command as a tool — no separate Extole account or OAuth flow is required beyond your existing CLI token.

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Removing the integration

stdio This removes the Extole entry from Claude Desktop’s config. Restart Claude Desktop to apply.

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Troubleshooting

Tools not appearing after restart — Run extole serve setup again to ensure the config was written correctly, then restart Claude Desktop. Auth errors — Run extole auth status to confirm your token is valid.