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Claude Desktop Setup

Connect Claude Desktop to Swarm AI to control lab devices with natural language.

Prerequisites​

  • Claude Desktop installed (download)
  • API key from Cheshire Labs
  • swarm-client running in your lab (devices already connected)

Configuration​

Step 1: Open Settings​

In Claude Desktop, go to Settings > Developer > Edit Config

This opens your claude_desktop_config.json file.

Config file locations:

  • macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json
  • Windows: %APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json

Step 2: Add Swarm AI​

Add Swarm AI to the mcpServers section:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "swarm": {
      "url": "https://swarm.cheshirelabs.io/mcp",
      "transport": "streamable-http",
      "headers": {
        "X-API-Key": "your-api-key-here"
      }
    }
  }
}

Replace your-api-key-here with your actual API key.

Step 3: Restart Claude Desktop​

Close and reopen Claude Desktop to load the new configuration.

Verify Connection​

Ask Claude:

"What Swarm AI tools do you have access to?"

Claude should list device control, transporter, and teachpoint tools.

Then ask:

"What devices are connected to Swarm AI?"

You should see your lab's devices.

Example Conversations​

Check device status:

"Is the shaker initialized?"

Run an operation:

"Shake lab1-shaker-01 at 500 RPM for 30 seconds"

Move a transporter:

"Move the transporter to the source_rack position"

Get device info:

"What are the capabilities of the centrifuge?"

What's Next?​