GateRook connects Claude Desktop with a bridge extension. Claude Desktop installs it like any other extension. Nothing is written to claude_desktop_config.json, and the bridge gets a 15-minute token from GateRook whenever Claude needs one.
Before you start, install GateRook and Claude Desktop. The screenshots come from a local test setup with one MySQL connection, mysql-demo, on the default endpoint. Your connections and endpoint address can differ. Select a screenshot to open it at full size.
1. Choose Claude Desktop and select Connect
Open GateRook and go to AI apps. GateRook lists the AI apps it finds on this computer. Next to Claude Desktop, select Connect.
2. Review the change and confirm the install
GateRook shows what Claude Desktop can use: the connections and tools on the endpoint, here default. Keep Bridge extension (.mcpb). Open What will change to see the extension file GateRook creates, then select Connect Claude Desktop.
Claude Desktop opens its install dialog for GateRook · default. Select Install to confirm.
3. Check the connection with a prompt
Under Check that it works, GateRook suggests a prompt for your first connection, here Show me the tables in mysql-demo. Once the extension is installed, open a new chat in Claude Desktop and ask it. If the GateRook tools do not appear, restart Claude Desktop.
Claude answers through GateRook's tools. Allow the tool when Claude asks. Reads run at once, changes wait for you in Approvals, and every request appears in Activity.
Next, give Claude Desktop more to work with: add a database, logs, a cloud account or an MCP server.