> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.recallium.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Configure Recallium in Claude Desktop

> Add the Recallium plugin to Claude Desktop so your chats can use project memory

The Claude Desktop plugin is available on macOS and Windows. The plugin activates for technical conversations or when you explicitly ask for Recallium. It stays quiet for unrelated one-off questions.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Connect Claude Desktop to Recallium">
    Run the installer and select **Claude Desktop** on the installer screen. The installer registers the Recallium connector in Claude Desktop.

    ```bash theme={null}
    npx -y recallium@latest install
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Restart Claude Desktop">
    Claude Desktop loads the Recallium connector only when it starts. Quit Claude Desktop completely, then start it again. If a browser window opens, sign in to Recallium once.

    <Warning>
      On Windows, closing the window is not enough. Claude Desktop keeps running in the system tray. Right-click the Claude icon in the system tray, click **Quit**, then start Claude Desktop again.
    </Warning>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Download the plugin">
    Download [Claude-Desktop-Chat-Plugin.zip](https://recallium.ai/plugins/Claude-Desktop-Chat-Plugin.zip). Keep it zipped.

    The plugin carries the Recallium skill only. Its tools come from the connector that the installer registered.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open the plugin upload screen">
    In Claude Desktop, open **Customize** > **Plugins**. Select **Add**, then select **Upload plugin**.

    <Frame caption="Select Add, then Upload plugin.">
      <img src="https://mintcdn.com/recallium/uYq7Qg6wC1IHzMGQ/images/claude-desktop/claude-desktop-plugin-1.jpg?fit=max&auto=format&n=uYq7Qg6wC1IHzMGQ&q=85&s=f1aafc5389de7aa7dc4ce750edcf3ec6" alt="The Plugins screen in Claude Desktop with the Add menu open and Upload plugin highlighted" className="w-full" width="1233" height="959" data-path="images/claude-desktop/claude-desktop-plugin-1.jpg" />
    </Frame>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose the zip">
    Drag the zip into **Plugin file**, or browse to it. Then select **Upload**.

    <Frame caption="Add the zip under Plugin file, then select Upload.">
      <img src="https://mintcdn.com/recallium/uYq7Qg6wC1IHzMGQ/images/claude-desktop/claude-desktop-plugin-2.jpg?fit=max&auto=format&n=uYq7Qg6wC1IHzMGQ&q=85&s=462162fab29d9c909d248539aaf32127" alt="The Upload a plugin screen in Claude Desktop with the Plugin file drop area and the Upload button" className="w-full" width="1232" height="962" data-path="images/claude-desktop/claude-desktop-plugin-2.jpg" />
    </Frame>

    **Recallium** appears in your plugins. It asks which project to load when a technical chat begins.

    <Note>
      Claude Desktop shows a trust notice for every plugin you upload yourself.
    </Note>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose when Claude can use Recallium tools">
    Open **Customize** > **Connectors**, then select **recallium**. Under **Tool permissions**, choose when Claude can use each group of tools.

    To let Claude read your project context without asking each time, set **Read-only tools** to **Always allow**.

    <Frame caption="Set Read-only tools to Always allow to skip the approval prompt for each lookup.">
      <img src="https://mintcdn.com/recallium/uYq7Qg6wC1IHzMGQ/images/claude-desktop/claude-desktop-plugin-3.jpg?fit=max&auto=format&n=uYq7Qg6wC1IHzMGQ&q=85&s=7a6b59cf82a4c647c053545a2a7a440a" alt="The recallium connector in Claude Desktop showing Tool permissions with Read-only tools set to Always allow" className="w-full" width="1231" height="958" data-path="images/claude-desktop/claude-desktop-plugin-3.jpg" />
    </Frame>
  </Step>
</Steps>

Next, see [what to try first](/guides/configure-chat-apps#what-to-try-first).


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