FAF Platforms - Where FAF Works

Purpose

Clarify where FAF works and how to use it across different Claude platforms: Claude Code (CLI), Claude Desktop (MCP), and claude.ai (web).

The Goal: Help users choose the right platform and tool for their workflow.

When to Use

This skill activates when the user:

• Asks "Does FAF work with Claude Desktop?"
• Says "CLI vs MCP - which one?"
• Asks "Can I use FAF on claude.ai?"
• Says "What's the difference between faf-cli and claude-faf-mcp?"
• Needs platform compatibility guidance

Trigger Words: platform, Claude Desktop, claude.ai, CLI, MCP, compatibility, where works, which tool

Platform Overview

1. Claude Code (Terminal + Skills)

What it is:

• Command-line interface for Claude
• Terminal-based coding assistant
• This skill is running IN Claude Code right now

FAF integration:

• ✅ faf-cli - Run faf commands directly
• ✅ FAF Skills - These skills activate automatically
• ✅ Direct file access - Read/write project.faf

Best for:

• Developers working in terminal
• Quick FAF operations (faf init, faf score)
• Using Skills for guided workflows
• Local development environments

How to use FAF:

# Install faf-cli
npm install -g faf-cli

# Install Skills (optional but recommended)
# Copy skills to ~/.config/claude-code/skills/

# Use naturally
"What is FAF?" → faf-teacher activates
"Set up project context" → faf-init activates

2. Claude Desktop (MCP Integration)

What it is:

• Desktop application for Claude
• Native Mac/Windows app
• Uses Model Context Protocol (MCP)

FAF integration:

• ✅ claude-faf-mcp - Official MCP server (Anthropic-approved)
• ✅ 33 MCP tools - All faf-cli commands as tools
• ✅ Persistent context - project.faf always available

Best for:

• GUI preference over terminal
• Multi-project workflows
• Using other MCP servers alongside FAF
• Desktop-first development

How to use FAF:

# Install MCP server
npm install -g claude-faf-mcp

# Configure Claude Desktop
# Edit: ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "faf": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "claude-faf-mcp"]
    }
  }
}

# Restart Claude Desktop
# FAF tools appear automatically

MCP Tools available:

• faf_init, faf_score, faf_enhance, faf_validate
• faf_bi_sync, faf_migrate
• All 33 commands from faf-cli

3. claude.ai (Web Interface)

What it is:

• Web-based Claude interface
• Browser access (no installation)
• Simple file upload

FAF integration:

• ⚠️ Limited - File upload only
• ❌ No faf-cli commands
• ❌ No MCP integration
• ❌ No Skills

Best for:

• Quick demonstrations
• Sharing project.faf with others
• No installation scenarios
• One-off consultations

How to use FAF:

1. Create project.faf locally (use faf-cli elsewhere)
2. Open claude.ai
3. Upload project.faf file
4. Claude reads it as regular YAML
5. Limited - no scoring, no enhancement, no sync

Limitations:

• Cannot run faf score or other commands
• Cannot enhance or validate automatically
• No bidirectional sync
• Manual file upload each session

Recommendation: Use Claude Code or Claude Desktop for full FAF experience.

Platform Comparison

faf-cli vs claude-faf-mcp

faf-cli (Command-Line Interface)

What it is:

• Standalone CLI tool
• Works WITHOUT Claude
• 41 commands total
• npm or Homebrew

When to use:

# Standalone operations
faf init          # Create project.faf
faf score         # Check AI-readiness
faf enhance       # Improve content
faf bi-sync       # Sync to CLAUDE.md
faf validate      # Check format

# Works independently
# No Claude required
# Fast and direct

Advantages:

• Works anywhere (with or without Claude)
• Fastest execution
• Complete command set
• Scriptable

Use cases:

• CI/CD pipelines
• Git pre-commit hooks
• Batch processing
• Automation scripts

claude-faf-mcp (MCP Server)

What it is:

• MCP server for Claude Desktop
• Requires Claude Desktop app
• Bridges faf-cli to MCP protocol
• 33 tools exposed

When to use:

# Inside Claude Desktop
Ask Claude:
"Initialize project context" → calls faf_init
"Check my score" → calls faf_score
"Enhance my FAF" → calls faf_enhance

# MCP tools activate automatically
# Claude decides when to use them
# Integrated workflow

Advantages:

• GUI workflow
• Automatic tool selection
• Works with other MCP servers
• Integrated with Claude Desktop

Use cases:

• Desktop-first development
• Multi-tool MCP setups
• GUI preference
• Conversational workflow

Which Should I Use?

Use faf-cli if:

• ✅ You work in terminal
• ✅ You want direct command access
• ✅ You need automation/scripting
• ✅ You use Claude Code (this)
• ✅ You want fastest execution

Use claude-faf-mcp if:

• ✅ You use Claude Desktop app
• ✅ You prefer GUI over CLI
• ✅ You use other MCP servers
• ✅ You want conversational workflow
• ✅ You want Claude to decide which tool

Use BOTH if:

• ✅ Terminal + Desktop workflows
• ✅ Maximum flexibility
• ✅ They work together seamlessly

Installation Quick Guide

For Claude Code Users

# Install CLI (required)
npm install -g faf-cli

# Install Skills (recommended)
git clone https://github.com/Wolfe-Jam/faf-agent-toolkit.git
cd faf-agent-toolkit
./install.sh

# Skills activate automatically in Claude Code

For Claude Desktop Users

# Install MCP server
npm install -g claude-faf-mcp

# Configure
# Edit: ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json
# Add faf MCP server configuration

# Restart Claude Desktop
# Tools appear automatically

For claude.ai Users

# Create project.faf elsewhere (Claude Code or Desktop)
faf init

# Upload to claude.ai manually
# Limited functionality
# Consider upgrading to Claude Code or Desktop for full experience

Common Questions

Q: Can I use FAF without Claude? A: Yes! faf-cli works standalone. Create, score, enhance project.faf files anywhere.

Q: Do Skills work in Claude Desktop? A: No. Skills are Claude Code only. Claude Desktop uses MCP tools instead.

Q: Can I use MCP in Claude Code? A: Not directly. Claude Code uses Skills. Claude Desktop uses MCP.

Q: Which is better - CLI or MCP? A: Neither. Different workflows. CLI for terminal, MCP for Desktop app.

Q: Does claude.ai support MCP? A: No. claude.ai is web-only. No MCP, no CLI, just file upload.

Platform Compatibility Matrix

Supported Claude Platforms:

• ✅ Claude Code (CLI + Skills)
• ✅ Claude Desktop (MCP)
• ⚠️ claude.ai (file upload only)

Supported AI Tools (via faf-cli):

• ✅ Claude (all platforms)
• ✅ Cursor
• ✅ Gemini CLI
• ✅ OpenAI Codex CLI (NOT ChatGPT)
• ✅ Warp
• ✅ Windsurf
• ✅ ANY AI that reads YAML

Why universal? project.faf is just a YAML file. Any AI can read YAML. No special integration required.

Next Steps

From here:

If on Claude Code:

• You're in the right place
• FAF Skills active
• Use faf commands directly

If want Claude Desktop:

• Install claude-faf-mcp
• Configure MCP
• Restart Desktop app

If on claude.ai:

• Consider Claude Code or Desktop for full experience
• Or use faf-cli separately and upload results

Generated by FAF Skill: faf-platforms v1.0.0 "CLI for speed. MCP for Desktop. Skills for Claude Code. Universal by design."