> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.acestudio.ai/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.acestudio.ai/ai-agent/external-agent-access/claude-desktop-and-cowork.md).

# Claude Desktop & Cowork

Connect Claude Desktop (Chat & Cowork) to ACE Studio via MCP.

Connect Claude Desktop to ACE Studio through a local MCP (Model Context Protocol) server to inspect, arrange, and edit your music projects directly from Claude.

{% hint style="info" %}
This guide walks through configuring **Chat** and **Cowork** in Claude Desktop.

If you are using **Code** mode (Claude Code), it uses separate configuration settings. Head over to [External Agent Access](/ai-agent/external-agent-access.md) to let the agent configure itself automatically or use the `claude mcp add` terminal command.
{% endhint %}

Switch between modes using the mode selector in the top-left corner of Claude Desktop:

<figure><img src="https://3596338706-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fsn71WYzecYYQw3KkF40b%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-88d0c92ad5382c3dc71ccacb0a5cd3cc040e4233%2Fclaude-desktop-mode-selector.png?alt=media" alt="Mode selector in Claude Desktop showing Chat, Cowork, and Code"><figcaption><p>Mode selector in Claude Desktop</p></figcaption></figure>

***

### Step 1: Open Settings

Open **Settings** in Claude Desktop:

* Click your profile name in the bottom-left corner and select **Settings**, or
* Use the app menu: **Claude → Settings...** (`Cmd+,` on macOS or `Ctrl+,` on Windows).

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Profile Menu" %}

<figure><img src="https://3596338706-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fsn71WYzecYYQw3KkF40b%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-4d652fee91fc0c7e6fb11371bbd0546fc561bca8%2Fclaude-desktop-open-settings-profile.png?alt=media" alt="Open Settings from user profile menu"><figcaption><p>Access Settings from the profile menu in the bottom-left</p></figcaption></figure>
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Application Menu (macOS)" %}

<figure><img src="https://3596338706-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fsn71WYzecYYQw3KkF40b%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-ab2f2f30e730e3205c7bf38b278f1808efaa734f%2Fclaude-desktop-open-settings-macos.png?alt=media" alt="Open Settings from macOS app menu"><figcaption><p>Access Settings from the macOS menu bar</p></figcaption></figure>
{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}

***

### Step 2: Open Configuration File

1. In the Settings window, navigate to **Developer** under the **Desktop app** section.
2. Click the **Edit Config** button.

<figure><img src="https://3596338706-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fsn71WYzecYYQw3KkF40b%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-429d628635458aa2260f57a684bfb2c4384fa6fb%2Fclaude-desktop-developer-edit-config.png?alt=media" alt="Developer settings tab with Edit Config button"><figcaption><p>Click "Edit Config" in Developer settings</p></figcaption></figure>

Claude Desktop will open your system file manager (Finder or File Explorer) with `claude_desktop_config.json` selected.

***

### Step 3: Add ACE Studio MCP Server

1. Open `claude_desktop_config.json` in any text editor.
2. In ACE Studio, open **Preferences → General → External Agent Access** and click **Copy command** next to **MCP Server (stdio)** to copy your exact launch command.
3. Add the `acestudio` configuration under `mcpServers`:

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "acestudio": {
      "command": "/Applications/ACE Studio.app/Contents/Helpers/ace-mcp-server"
    }
  }
}
```

<figure><img src="https://3596338706-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fsn71WYzecYYQw3KkF40b%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-d9c3fdd2ed7ede65689f1077697870598e262b7e%2Fclaude-desktop-config-json.png?alt=media" alt="claude_desktop_config.json configured with acestudio server"><figcaption><p><code>claude_desktop_config.json</code> with the acestudio server configured</p></figcaption></figure>

{% hint style="info" %}
**Windows Path Escaping:** If you manually write Windows paths using backslashes in JSON files, escape each backslash as a double backslash (`\\`), or use forward slashes (`/`).
{% endhint %}

4. Save the file, then **restart Claude Desktop** completely.

***

### Step 4: Verify and Start Using

#### 1. Confirm Connection Status

Open **Settings → Developer** in Claude Desktop. You should now see **acestudio** listed under **Local MCP Servers** with a running status.

<figure><img src="https://3596338706-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fsn71WYzecYYQw3KkF40b%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-4803e3f866334356d77d4bc233f88a64c5ac0c08%2Fclaude-desktop-mcp-connected.png?alt=media" alt="Local MCP Servers showing acestudio connected"><figcaption><p>Local MCP Servers displaying active acestudio connection</p></figcaption></figure>

#### 2. Enable in Chat or Cowork

When starting a conversation in **Chat** or **Cowork**, click the **+ / Connectors** button below the message input box and make sure **acestudio** is toggled **ON**.

<figure><img src="https://3596338706-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fsn71WYzecYYQw3KkF40b%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-1ea14dac4375044032aa43a26769238ff8c8a6b3%2Fclaude-desktop-connector-active.png?alt=media" alt="Connectors menu showing acestudio connector enabled"><figcaption><p>Ensure the acestudio connector is active</p></figcaption></figure>

#### 3. Test with a Prompt

Make sure ACE Studio is open and running, then ask Claude:

```
Please check the current ACE Studio project information
```

Claude will connect to ACE Studio, inspect the open project, and return its details (tempo, key signature, tracks, and clips).


---

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