Conduit Desktop, developed by Advenimus, is a cross-platform remote connection manager for SSH, RDP, VNC, and web sessions. It features an encrypted credential vault and includes a built-in Model Context Protocol (MCP) server. This server exposes connections, sessions, and credential operations as tools, making it suitable for AI-driven workflows. Built with TypeScript/Node.js and Rust, it is distributed as native installers for Windows, macOS, and Linux, available from GitHub Releases or conduitdesktop.com/download. It serves as both an MCP server and a remote connection manager.

What does Conduit Desktop connect to?

Conduit Desktop connects to user-configured servers using various protocols, including SSH, RDP, VNC, and standard web sessions. This allows it to manage a diverse fleet of remote systems and applications from a single interface. Its design supports interaction with these varied endpoints, enabling operations like opening SSH shells, navigating RDP desktops, and filling out web forms. The program centralizes access to different remote environments.

Core features and tools

Conduit Desktop's MCP server exposes over 60 tools, covering every aspect of the application, including connection, session, and credential operations. While an MCP Tools Reference is mentioned, the specific names of these tools are not explicitly provided. The system also mentions lazy discovery, which keeps context flat with three meta-tools. Credentials for remote connections are stored in a local AES-256 vault, with the master key secured by the operating system's keychain.

Who is it for?

Conduit Desktop is designed for DevOps and SREs, system administrators managing diverse SSH/RDP/VNC fleets, and IT professionals. It also serves AI-first engineers who regularly use compatible AI clients like Claude Code, Codex, Claude Desktop, Cursor, and VS Code. Teams requiring shared, zero-knowledge credential vaults will also find value. Skip this if your AI clients require remote HTTP or SSE MCP server access.

How to get started

AI clients authenticate directly with their respective providers using the user's own account. The MCP server supports the stdio transport protocol, operating over a local Unix socket or named pipe on Windows.

Use cases

• An AI agent opening an SSH shell.
• Clicking through an RDP desktop and filling out a web form.
• Reading credentials with approval.
• Managing a fleet of servers by executing commands, driving GUIs, and reading screens.

Conduit Desktop offers a secure, cross-platform solution for managing remote connections, integrating AI capabilities through its MCP server. It secures credentials locally and supports several popular AI clients. The universal approval gate adds a layer of security for tool calls. Start by configuring an AI client to open an SSH shell or manage a remote server fleet.