Introducing Socket MCP for Claude Desktop

Claude Desktop now supports Desktop Extensions, allowing you to add local tools with a single click. Socket has released its Socket MCP as a Desktop Extension that brings dependency security scanning directly into your Claude conversations. This means that all your coding questions to Claude will produce code that has secure dependencies, no more hallucinations or malicious packages.

Claude Desktop Extensions#

Claude Desktop recently introduced a new way to extend Claude’s capabilities using Desktop Extensions. Instead of having to go through complicated steps to install MCP servers on your machine, Claude Desktop offers the same functionality as easy as clicking a button. These .dxt files are similar to browser extensions—download, install, and use. All processing happens locally on your machine.

Socket has released its MCP server as a Desktop Extension for Claude Desktop, integrating dependency security scanning directly into Claude with a click of a button.

What are Desktop Extensions?#

Simple Installation

Previously, adding MCP (Model Context Protocol) servers to Claude required installing Node.js or Python, running install commands, editing JSON configuration files, and restarting Claude. Now the process is much simpler: open the Desktop Extensions directory in Claude Desktop, click "Install" on the extension you want, and start using it immediately.

Socket MCP: Security Analysis in Claude#

Socket MCP provides access to Socket.dev's security scanning capabilities within Claude. You can check package security without leaving your conversation.

What Socket MCP Does

Socket MCP analyzes packages from npm, PyPI, cargo, and other ecosystems across five dimensions. It examines supply chain security by checking the safety of package dependencies, evaluates code quality based on adherence to best practices, tracks maintenance status through update frequency and responsiveness, identifies known vulnerabilities including CVEs and security issues, and assesses license compliance for legal considerations. Each dimension receives a score from 0 to 100, providing a comprehensive security profile.

Usage Examples

Basic package check:

Comparing packages:

Installing Socket MCP#

Installation Steps

Socket MCP is available in Claude Desktop's official Extensions directory:

1. Open Claude Desktop: Navigate to Settings > Extensions > Browse extensions to access the Extensions directory
2. Find Socket MCP: Look for "Socket MCP" in the list of available Desktop Extensions
3. Click "Install:" Claude will display the extension's capabilities/tools and request confirmation
4. Enter Socket API key: You need a Socket API key to use Socket MCP. You can create one following the instructions here.
5. Start using Socket MCP: Example: "Check the security of react"

Using Socket MCP#

Understanding Security Scores

Socket provides scores from 0 to 100 for each security dimension. While there are no official thresholds, scores between 90 and 100 indicate a strong security profile. Scores from 70 to 80 suggest minor concerns but are generally acceptable. When scores fall between 50 and 60, you should review the package carefully before using it. Anything below 50 warrants looking for alternatives. Your acceptable thresholds may vary based on project requirements.

Practical Examples

Checking a new dependency:

Evaluating packages with issues:

Making Informed Decisions

Socket MCP helps you make security-aware choices throughout your development process. Start by setting thresholds that define minimum acceptable scores for your project. Focus on the dimensions that matter most to your specific needs—perhaps license compliance is critical for your enterprise, or maintenance status is key for long-term projects. Always compare multiple package options before making a choice, and when you must accept a lower-scoring package, document your reasoning for future reference.

Customizing Your Workflow#

Setting Claude Rules

Add rules to Claude (Settings > Profile > personal preferences) for automatic security checks:

# Security Checks

When I mention adding a dependency or generating code that has new dependencies:
1. Check their security score with Socket MCP
2. Alert me if any score is below 0.8
3. Suggest alternatives for low-scoring packages

When reviewing code:
- Scan imports and required packages
- Flag packages with vulnerability scores below 0.9

Team Practices

For teams using Claude Desktop with Socket MCP, establishing consistent practices improves overall security. Start by standardizing threshold scores that all team members agree to follow. Schedule regular audits to review all project dependencies. When accepting packages with lower scores, document the reasoning behind these decisions. Maintain a shared list of pre-approved packages to streamline decision-making.

A typical team policy might require that new dependencies score above 0.8 in all dimensions, have been updated within the past year, use approved licenses like MIT, Apache, or BSD, and undergo additional review if any score falls below 0.9.

Making Strong Security Practices the Default with Claude

Socket MCP demonstrates the potential of Desktop Extensions for Claude. With one click, you add dependency security scanning to your development workflow. No command line, no configuration files—just install and ask Claude to check your dependencies.

This accessibility matters. When security tools are easy to use, they get used. When every developer can check package security with a simple question, codebases become more secure.

Socket MCP is available now in Claude Desktop's Extensions directory. Install it, try checking a few packages, and see how it fits into your workflow.

Have questions or feedback? Open an issue on the Socket MCP repository or reach out to the Socket team.

Resources

• Socket MCP: https://github.com/SocketDev/socket-mcp
• Documentation: https://docs.socket.dev/docs/guide-to-socket-mcp
• Get a Socket API key: https://github.com/SocketDev/socket-mcp#getting-an-api-key
• Desktop Extensions: https://github.com/anthropics/dxt
• Model Context Protocol: https://modelcontextprotocol.io