# Claude Desktop Automation with MCP Control

Automatically send periodic messages to Claude Desktop on macOS, with **Claude controlling its own wake schedule** via MCP and **bidirectional Matrix integration** for AI-powered messaging.

## 🎯 How It Works

**Three-part system:**

1. **Automation Daemon** - Python process that:
   - Runs continuously in the background
   - Sends messages to Claude Desktop on a timer (with CMD+R refresh)
   - Reads wake schedule from shared state file
   - Monitors for Matrix wake requests
   - Uses AppleScript for reliable message delivery

2. **Wakeup Control MCP** - MCP server that lets Claude:
   - Adjust when it wants to be woken next
   - Pause/resume automation
   - Check status

3. **Matrix Integration** (Optional) - Bidirectional messaging:
   - Monitor Matrix rooms for incoming messages
   - Wake Claude when messages arrive (2-min rate limit)
   - Claude can read messages and respond via MCP tools
   - Supports text + images with automatic compression

**The magic:** Claude can call `next_wakeup(30)` to say "wake me in 30 minutes instead of the default 60", and Matrix messages automatically wake Claude when your friends message you!

## Architecture

```
┌──────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│     Matrix Monitor (Python/matrix-nio)       │
│  - Listens for Matrix messages               │
│  - Queues messages to state file             │
│  - Sets matrix_wake_requested flag           │
│  - 2-minute rate limiting                    │
└──────────────┬───────────────────────────────┘
               │
               │ (writes Matrix messages)
               ▼
       ~/.claude-automation-state.json
               ▲
               │ (reads state + Matrix requests)
               │
┌──────────────┴───────────────────────────────┐
│         Automation Daemon (Python)           │
│  - Timer loop (handles own scheduling)       │
│  - Monitors for Matrix wake requests         │
│  - Sends messages via AppleScript            │
└──────────────┬───────────────────────────────┘
               │
               │ (sends message)
               ▼
     ┌──────────────────────┐
     │  Claude Desktop UI   │
     └────────┬─────────────┘
              │
              │ (calls MCP tools)
              ▼
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│         MCP Servers (FastMCP)               │
│                                             │
│  Wakeup Control:                            │
│    - next_wakeup(minutes)                   │
│    - pause_automation()                     │
│    - resume_automation()                    │
│    - get_status()                           │
│                                             │
│  Matrix Control:                            │
│    - get_matrix_messages()                  │
│    - send_matrix_message(room_id, msg)      │
│    - mark_messages_processed(event_ids)     │
│    - list_matrix_rooms()                    │
│    - get_matrix_status()                    │
└──────────────┬──────────────────────────────┘
               │
               │ (writes state)
               ▼
       ~/.claude-automation-state.json
```

## Requirements

**Core System:**
- macOS (tested on macOS 13+)
- Python 3 (built-in)
- Claude Desktop
- FastMCP (`pip install fastmcp`)
- AppleScript (built-in to macOS)
- Accessibility permissions (critical - see below)

**Matrix Integration (Optional):**
- Matrix account (matrix.org or self-hosted)
- matrix-nio (`pip install matrix-nio`)
- Pillow (`pip install Pillow`)

## Installation

### Quick Setup

```bash
cd ~/scripts/claude-desktop-automation
./setup.sh
```

The setup script will:
1. Check dependencies
2. Guide you through permissions
3. Install daemon (launchd)
4. Configure MCP server
5. Start everything

### Manual Setup

If you prefer manual installation:

#### 1. Install Dependencies

```bash
# Install all dependencies
pip3 install -r requirements.txt

# Or install individually:
pip3 install fastmcp
```

#### 2. Grant Accessibility Permissions (CRITICAL)

**This is required for AppleScript automation to work!**

1. Open **System Settings** → **Privacy & Security** → **Accessibility**
2. Click the **+** button
3. Add **Terminal** (or your Python interpreter)
4. Ensure the checkbox is enabled

**Testing accessibility:**
```bash
python3 send_to_claude.py "Test" --no-refresh
```

If you see "Failed to send message", accessibility permissions are not set correctly.

#### 3. Configure MCP Server

Add to `~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json`:

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "wakeup-control": {
      "command": "python3",
      "args": ["/Users/YOUR_USERNAME/scripts/claude-desktop-automation/wakeup_mcp.py"]
    }
  }
}
```

#### 4. Install Daemon

```bash
# Copy and customize plist
cp ~/scripts/claude-desktop-automation/com.claude.monitor.plist ~/Library/LaunchAgents/
sed -i '' "s|/Users/alex|$HOME|g" ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.claude.monitor.plist

# Load daemon
launchctl load ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.claude.monitor.plist
```

#### 5. Restart Claude Desktop

Close and reopen Claude Desktop to load the MCP server.

## 🔄 Chat Refresh Feature

**All wake messages now include CMD+R refresh before sending!**

This prevents messages from being overwritten when using Claude Desktop on multiple devices:
- **Timed wakes**: CMD+R ensures chat is synced before system check message
- **Matrix wakes**: CMD+R ensures you see the latest conversation context

The daemon waits **15 seconds** after sending CMD+R to ensure the refresh completes before sending the message.

**Why this matters:**
- Multi-device sync: If you're active on mobile/web, desktop chat stays current
- Prevents message overwrites: Chat refreshes before automation sends
- Better context: Claude sees all recent messages, not stale state

**Configurable delay:** Edit `REFRESH_DELAY_SECONDS` in `send_to_claude.py` line 31 if you need more/less time.

## Usage

### The Flow

1. **Daemon wakes** (default: every 60 minutes)
2. **Sends message** to Claude Desktop: "System check at [time] - use next_wakeup() if you want to change interval"
3. **Claude responds** and optionally calls MCP tools
4. **Daemon sleeps** until next wake time (uses MCP-set time or default)

### MCP Tools

#### `next_wakeup(minutes)`

Set when you want to be woken next. **Overrides default for one cycle only.**

```
Claude, use next_wakeup(15) to wake me in 15 minutes
Claude, use next_wakeup(120) to wake me in 2 hours
Claude, use next_wakeup(1440) to skip until tomorrow
```

**Use cases:**
- High activity period → `next_wakeup(15)` for frequent checks
- Low activity → `next_wakeup(180)` for infrequent checks
- One-time skip → `next_wakeup(1440)` for 24 hours

#### `pause_automation()`

Stop wake messages completely.

```
Claude, pause the automation - I don't need monitoring right now
```

#### `resume_automation()`

Resume wake messages.

```
Claude, resume the automation
```

#### `get_status()`

Check current state.

```
Claude, what's the automation status?
```

Returns:
- Running/paused state
- Last wake time
- Next wake time
- Current interval

### Example Conversation

**Daemon:** (sends at 9:00 AM) "System check at 2025-01-15 09:00:00 - please analyze recent activity and use next_wakeup() if you want to change the monitoring interval"

**You:** "Claude, everything looks normal. Check back in 2 hours instead of 1 hour."

**Claude:** "I'll adjust the wake schedule. Using next_wakeup(120)..."
[calls `next_wakeup(120)`]

**Claude:** "✓ Next wake scheduled for 2025-01-15 11:00:00 (in 120 minutes)"

**Daemon:** (wakes at 11:00 AM instead of 10:00 AM)

## Configuration

### Change Default Interval

Edit `automation_daemon.py` line 32:

```python
DEFAULT_INTERVAL_MINUTES = 60  # Change to your preferred default
```

### Change Message Text

Edit `automation_daemon.py` line 166-169:

```python
def generate_message() -> str:
    timestamp = datetime.now().strftime("%Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S")
    return f"Your custom message template with {timestamp}"
```

## Monitoring

### Logs

```bash
# Daemon logs (timer, messages sent)
tail -f /tmp/claude-automation-daemon.log

# MCP logs (tool calls from Claude)
tail -f /tmp/wakeup-mcp.log

# launchd stdout/stderr
tail -f /tmp/claude-monitor.out
tail -f /tmp/claude-monitor.err
```

### Check Daemon Status

```bash
# Is it running?
launchctl list | grep com.claude.monitor

# View details
launchctl print gui/$(id -u)/com.claude.monitor

# Check process
ps aux | grep automation_daemon.py
```

### State File

The shared state is stored in `~/.claude-automation-state.json`:

```bash
cat ~/.claude-automation-state.json
```

Example:
```json
{
  "interval_minutes": 60,
  "paused": false,
  "last_wake": "2025-01-15T09:00:00",
  "next_wake_timestamp": "2025-01-15T11:00:00"
}
```

## Troubleshooting

### Messages not sending

**Check Claude Desktop is running:**
```bash
ps aux | grep Claude
```

**Check daemon is running:**
```bash
launchctl list | grep com.claude.monitor
tail -20 /tmp/claude-automation-daemon.log
```

**Check Accessibility permissions:**
System Settings → Privacy & Security → Accessibility → Terminal should be enabled

**Test AppleScript accessibility:**
```bash
python3 /path/to/send_to_claude.py "Test message" --no-refresh
```

If you see "Failed to send CMD+R" or "Failed to send message", check accessibility permissions:
1. System Settings → Privacy & Security → Accessibility
2. Find Terminal (or Python) in the list
3. Enable it (toggle on)
4. Restart Terminal
5. Test again

**Refresh delay:**
The default 10-second delay after CMD+R should be sufficient for most cases. If your Claude Desktop takes longer to refresh, edit `send_to_claude.py` line 31:
```python
REFRESH_DELAY_SECONDS = 15  # Increase if needed
```

### MCP tools not available

**Restart Claude Desktop** after adding MCP server to config

**Check MCP server config:**
```bash
cat ~/Library/Application\ Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json
```

**Check MCP logs:**
```bash
tail -f /tmp/wakeup-mcp.log
```

### `next_wakeup()` not working

**Check grace period** - Daemon waits 30 seconds after sending message before rescheduling

**Check state file** - Should update when you call the tool:
```bash
cat ~/.claude-automation-state.json
```

**Check MCP logs** - Confirms tool was called:
```bash
tail /tmp/wakeup-mcp.log
```

### Daemon keeps restarting

**Check for errors:**
```bash
tail -50 /tmp/claude-automation-daemon.log
```

**Temporarily stop it:**
```bash
launchctl unload ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.claude.monitor.plist
```

### Timed wake-ups not appearing (but Matrix wakes work)

This typically happens when the **screen saver is active**. Matrix wakes work because they're reactive (screen is likely active), but timed wakes happen on schedule when the screen saver is often running.

**Solution:** The AppleScript now uses `caffeinate -u` to wake the screen before sending keystrokes:

```applescript
-- Wake the screen if screen saver is active
do shell script "caffeinate -u -t 1"
delay 0.5
```

This simulates user activity and dismisses the screen saver, allowing keyboard automation to work.

**To verify it's working:**
```bash
tail -f /tmp/claude-automation-daemon.log
# Look for: "Waking screen if needed..." in AppleScript logs
```

**Alternative:** If you want to prevent screen saver entirely on the Claude Desktop machine:
```bash
# Disable screen saver
defaults -currentHost write com.apple.screensaver idleTime 0
```

## Matrix Integration

The automation supports **bidirectional Matrix messaging** - Claude can receive messages from Matrix rooms and respond to them automatically.

### Setup

```bash
cd ~/scripts/claude-desktop-automation
./setup_matrix.sh
```

The setup script will:
1. Install matrix-nio dependency
2. Authenticate with your Matrix homeserver
3. Save credentials securely (chmod 600)
4. Configure room whitelist (optional)
5. Add Matrix MCP to Claude config
6. Start Matrix monitor

### How It Works

1. **Matrix Monitor** runs in background, listening for messages
2. New messages are queued to `~/.claude-automation-state.json`
3. Monitor sets `matrix_wake_requested` flag (respects 2-min rate limit)
4. **Automation Daemon** detects flag and wakes Claude
5. Claude uses **Matrix MCP tools** to read and respond
6. **Messages auto-marked as processed** when retrieved (won't trigger duplicate wakes)

### Matrix MCP Tools

#### `get_matrix_messages(limit=10, include_processed=False)`

Retrieve queued Matrix messages (text + images).

**✨ Messages are automatically marked as processed when retrieved!**

```
Claude, check my Matrix messages
Claude, get the last 20 Matrix messages
```

Returns messages with:
- Room name and sender
- Message text or inline image
- Timestamp and event ID
- Auto-marked as processed (won't trigger future wakes)

#### `send_matrix_message(room_id, message)`

Send a message to a Matrix room.

```
Claude, send "Hello!" to room !abc123:matrix.org
```

#### `mark_messages_processed(event_ids)` [OPTIONAL]

Manually mark messages as processed (usually not needed).

**Note:** Messages are automatically marked when you call `get_matrix_messages()`,
so you typically don't need to call this tool manually.

```
Claude, mark those messages as processed
```

#### `list_matrix_rooms()`

List all Matrix rooms the bot is in.

```
Claude, show my Matrix rooms
```

#### `get_matrix_status()`

Check Matrix integration status.

```
Claude, check Matrix status
```

Shows:
- Connection status
- Queued messages
- Last wake time
- Rate limit status

### Configuration Files

**Credentials:** `~/.matrix-credentials.json` (chmod 600)
```json
{
  "homeserver": "https://matrix.org",
  "user_id": "@user:matrix.org",
  "access_token": "...",
  "device_id": "...",
  "room_whitelist": ["!room1:matrix.org", "!room2:matrix.org"]
}
```

**Room Whitelist:** (Optional)
- Empty array = Monitor all rooms
- Specific IDs = Monitor only those rooms

### Rate Limiting

Matrix wakes respect a **2-minute minimum** between wakes to prevent spam:
- Messages arriving within 2 minutes are queued
- Claude processes them in batch at next wake
- Reduces interruptions while ensuring responsiveness

### Image Support

Matrix images are automatically:
1. Downloaded from homeserver
2. Compressed to fit 1MB limit (accounting for base64 overhead)
3. Displayed inline in Claude Desktop
4. Queued just like text messages

### Logs

```bash
# Matrix monitor logs
tail -f /tmp/matrix-integration.log

# Matrix MCP logs
tail -f /tmp/matrix-mcp.log

# Check state file
cat ~/.claude-automation-state.json | jq '.matrix_messages'
```

### Troubleshooting

**Messages not appearing:**
- Check Matrix monitor is running: `ps aux | grep matrix_integration.py`
- Check logs: `tail -20 /tmp/matrix-integration.log`
- Verify credentials: `cat ~/.matrix-credentials.json`

**Claude not waking for Matrix:**
- Check state file has messages: `cat ~/.claude-automation-state.json`
- Check `matrix_wake_requested` flag
- Verify 2-minute rate limit hasn't blocked wake
- Check daemon logs: `tail -20 /tmp/claude-automation-daemon.log`

**Can't send messages:**
- Verify room ID is correct (use `list_matrix_rooms()`)
- Check MCP logs: `tail /tmp/matrix-mcp.log`
- Test credentials with `get_matrix_status()`

### Example Workflow

1. **Friend sends Matrix message**: "Hey, how's it going?"

2. **Matrix Monitor** detects message:
   - Queues to state file
   - Sets wake flag (if rate limit OK)

3. **Automation Daemon** wakes Claude:
   - "Matrix wake at 2025-01-15 14:32:00 - you have 1 new Matrix message(s)"

4. **You tell Claude**: "Check my Matrix messages and respond"

5. **Claude**:
   - Calls `get_matrix_messages()`
   - Sees friend's message
   - Calls `send_matrix_message(room_id, "I'm doing great! Thanks for asking!")`
   - Calls `mark_messages_processed([event_id])`

6. **Friend receives** Claude's response in Matrix room

## Advanced Usage

### Multiple Messages Per Day

Use `next_wakeup()` strategically:

```
Morning: next_wakeup(180)   # 3 hours (light monitoring)
Workday: next_wakeup(30)    # 30 min (active monitoring)
Evening: next_wakeup(360)   # 6 hours (minimal monitoring)
```

### Conditional Wake Logic

Modify `generate_message()` to include context:

```python
def generate_message() -> str:
    timestamp = datetime.now().strftime("%Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S")

    # Check system state
    disk_usage = get_disk_usage()
    cpu_load = get_cpu_load()

    return f"System check at {timestamp} - Disk: {disk_usage}%, CPU: {cpu_load}%"
```

### Event-Driven Wakeup

Have other scripts write to the state file to trigger immediate wake:

```bash
# External script
echo '{"next_wake_timestamp": "'$(date -u +%Y-%m-%dT%H:%M:%S)'"}' > ~/.claude-automation-state.json
```

## Uninstalling

```bash
# Stop daemon
launchctl unload ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.claude.monitor.plist
rm ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.claude.monitor.plist

# Stop Matrix monitor (if running)
pkill -f matrix_integration.py

# Remove MCP servers from Claude config
# (Edit ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json)
# Remove both "wakeup-control" and "matrix-control" entries

# Remove scripts (optional)
rm -rf ~/scripts/claude-desktop-automation

# Remove state and credentials
rm ~/.claude-automation-state.json
rm ~/.matrix-credentials.json
rm -rf ~/.matrix-data

# Remove logs (optional)
rm /tmp/claude-automation-daemon.log
rm /tmp/wakeup-mcp.log
rm /tmp/matrix-integration.log
rm /tmp/matrix-mcp.log
```

## Project Structure

```
claude-desktop-automation/
├── automation_daemon.py         # Main daemon with timer loop + Matrix integration
├── wakeup_mcp.py                # MCP server for wake control
├── matrix_integration.py        # Matrix monitor (listens for messages)
├── matrix_mcp.py                # MCP server for Matrix control
├── send_to_claude.scpt          # AppleScript for UI automation (with screen wake)
├── com.claude.monitor.plist     # launchd config (keeps daemon alive)
├── setup.sh                     # Interactive installation
├── setup_matrix.sh              # Matrix integration setup
└── README.md                    # This file
```

## Why This Architecture?

**Before (launchd scheduling):**
- Fixed intervals
- No flexibility
- launchd does timing

**After (Python timer + MCP control):**
- Dynamic intervals
- Claude has agency
- Can adjust based on activity
- Bidirectional communication
- Much more elegant!

## Limitations

⚠️ **Still fragile** - UI automation breaks if Claude Desktop UI changes significantly
⚠️ **Active chat only** - Sends to whichever chat is currently open (CMD+R refreshes it first)
⚠️ **macOS only** - Uses AppleScript and launchd (Linux port would require xdotool/ydotool)
⚠️ **Requires Accessibility** - Special macOS permissions for UI automation
⚠️ **Screen saver handled** - Uses `caffeinate` to wake screen automatically
⚠️ **Fixed refresh delay** - Waits 15 seconds after CMD+R (configurable if needed)

## Future Plans

🔮 **Linux support** - Port to Linux using xdotool/ydotool for UI automation
🔮 **Windows support** - Port to Windows using pyautogui or AutoIt
🔮 **Wayland support** - Use ydotool for newer Linux distros
🔮 **Smarter refresh** - Detect if refresh is needed before sending CMD+R

## License

Public domain / Use at your own risk

---

**Built with Python + FastMCP + matrix-nio + AppleScript for intelligent automation** 🤖