| Desktop Extensions (local) | Remote Connectors (cloud) | |
|---|---|---|
| Where they run | On your computer | On Anthropic's servers |
| Available on | Claude Desktop and Claude Code | All surfaces (web, mobile, desktop) |
| Install method | Double-click .mcpb file or browse in-app directory | Enable from claude.ai/directory |
| Best for | Local tools, file access, on-device services | Cloud services (Google, Slack, GitHub) |
| Credentials stored | OS keychain (macOS Keychain, Windows Credential Manager) | Managed by Anthropic (OAuth) |
Start with the built-in directory
Go to Settings, then Extensions in Claude Desktop. The built-in directory shows available extensions organized by category. Start with the ones for tools you already use daily. Each install takes a single click and no technical setup.