Ways to give an AI access to your machines
There are several ways to let an AI assistant work on real computers. They differ in where they run, how many machines they reach and how much control you keep.
| Local desktop MCP server | SSH-based AI tools | Remote management (RMM) tools | WECOMMANDER | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Works with Claude, ChatGPT, Cursor over one URL | Local client only | Varies | No | Yes |
| Machines reached | The one it runs on | Any with SSH access | Managed fleet | Any with the agent (Windows, macOS, Linux) |
| Network setup | None | Open SSH port, keys, often VPN | Vendor agent | None: outbound connection only |
| Human approval of each risky action | Usually not | Usually not | Not for AI actions | Yes, from web, e-mail or desktop notifications |
| Limits enforced on the device | Allowed folders | Shell user rights | Vendor policies | Allowed folders, read-only and no-command switches, secret masking |
| Audit log of AI actions | Local logs | Shell history | Yes | Yes, per tool call and approval |
| Runs without an account | Yes | Yes | No | Yes, in local mode |
When another option fits better
- One personal computer, no remote access needed: a local desktop MCP server is the simplest choice (WECOMMANDER's local mode covers this too).
- You already manage many servers with SSH and want no extra agent: an SSH-based tool may fit, at the cost of exposing SSH and giving the AI a shell account.
- Large fleets with patching and inventory needs: a remote management (RMM) tool; it is not designed for AI assistants.