Grab both downloads, then follow the steps below:
_It should display "Producer Pal Running" or something isn't working._
### 2. Download the Claude Desktop Extension
Download the
[Producer Pal Claude Desktop Extension (`Producer_Pal.mcpb`)](https://github.com/adamjmurray/producer-pal/releases/latest/download/Producer_Pal.mcpb)
### 3. Install the Extension in Claude Desktop
Go to Claude Desktop → Settings → Extensions and:
**If you already have extensions installed**, drag and drop `Producer_Pal.mcpb`
into the Extensions screen:
**Or, if you have never installed a Claude Desktop extension before**, you need
to click "Advanced settings" on the Extensions screen, then click "Install
extension...", and choose the
[Producer_Pal.mcpb](https://github.com/adamjmurray/producer-pal/releases/latest/download/Producer_Pal.mcpb)
file.
### 4. Complete the Installation
Don't forget to click "Install" and complete the Claude Desktop installation:
**About the security warning:** Anthropic displays this warning for all
extensions as a general security measure. Producer Pal is open source and you
can review the entire codebase on
[GitHub](https://github.com/adamjmurray/producer-pal) before installing. The
extension only accesses Ableton Live through the Max for Live device.
### 5. Verify Installation
You should see Producer Pal tools in Claude's "Connectors" menu (make sure it's
enabled when starting a conversation):
### 6. Start Using Producer Pal
1. Start a conversation with "connect to ableton"
2. Allow Producer Pal tools to be used when Claude tries to use them:
## Advanced settings
The extension exposes a few optional settings under **Claude Desktop → Settings
→ Extensions → Producer Pal**. Most people never need to touch these — the
defaults are recommended.
- **Ableton device URL** — where to reach the Max for Live device (default
`http://localhost:3350`). Change only if you moved the device's port or are
connecting over the network.
- **Allow configuration overrides** — off by default. While off, the settings
below are ignored and Producer Pal uses whatever is set on the device and in
the [chat UI](/guide/chat-ui). Turn it on to let these settings override the
device — including forcing a setting _off_.
- **MIDI notation** — overrides how Producer Pal reads and writes clip notes.
Three valid values: `barbeat` (recommended for Claude Sonnet, Opus, and
Fable), `stark` (pairs well with **Small model mode**), or `midi-json` (pairs
well with **JSON output**). Leave blank, or enter anything else, to keep the
device's current setting (`barbeat` by default).
- **Small model mode** — simplifies the tools and instructions for smaller
models. May improve results with **Claude Haiku**; not recommended otherwise,
since Claude Sonnet, Opus, and Fable handle the full toolset.
- **Direct Live API** — enables the advanced
[`ppal-live-api`](/features/tools#ppal-live-api) tool for direct access to the
[Live Object Model](https://docs.cycling74.com/apiref/lom/). An escape hatch
for custom control and debugging when the standard tools aren't enough — not
recommended as a default.
- **JSON output** — returns tool results as JSON instead of the compact default.
Not recommended for normal use (it increases token usage), but useful when you
want Claude to run code on the results.
- **Tools** / **Disable tools** — narrow the [toolset](/features#toolset) Claude
Desktop sees. Comma-separated tool names (`read-clip` or `ppal-read-clip`)
and/or groups: `core`, `session`, `actions`, `live-set`, `track`, `scene`,
`clip`, `device`, `advanced`, `read-only`. Withholding a tool also drops the
[skills](/features#skills) that teach it, so every conversation gets smaller.
`ppal-connect` is always kept.
::: info Device stays authoritative by default
The settings below **Allow configuration overrides** take effect only when that
toggle is on. When they do, MIDI notation, Small model mode, Direct Live API,
and JSON output are pushed to the device as global settings — they also change
in the [chat UI](/guide/chat-ui) and for any other connected MCP client. While
the toggle is off, the extension leaves every device setting untouched.
**Tools** and **Disable tools** are the exception: they apply to this extension
only, and never change what the chat UI or another client can reach.
:::
## Troubleshooting
If it doesn't work, see the [Troubleshooting Guide](/support/troubleshooting).