Anthropic debuts one-click MCP server installs with new Desktop Extensions

Anthropic has launched Desktop Extensions, a packaging system that enables one-click installation of local MCP servers on Claude Desktop. The .dxt format wraps an entire server, including binaries, scripts, dependencies, and configuration into a single distributable file. This allows developers to deliver Claude Desktop extensions that run entirely on-device, with automatic updates, secure API key storage, and custom UI controls. Claude Desktop now includes a built-in Node.js runtime, eliminating external dependencies for many use cases. The .dxt ecosystem is fully cross-platform and enterprise-ready, supporting private extension registries, blocklisting, and Group Policy enforcement. Anthropic has open-sourced the full spec, CLI tools, and sample implementations to help teams build and distribute their own MCP servers quickly. By abstracting away the friction of local server deployment, Anthropic is expanding Claude Desktop’s role as a secure platform for personalized AI tools. The move strengthens its position in enterprise and developer markets, especially where privacy, offline access, or regulated environments demand local compute.