diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 11fc898d7..df1a3bd32 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -58,6 +58,7 @@
 
 ### Fixed
 
+- Reconnect desktop automation to an already-running MCP server by allowing access to its discovery file. (#546)
 - Keep text-editing carets, hit testing, and selection highlights aligned with vertically centered or bottom-aligned text. (#539)
 - Match AI chat code-block syntax colors and backgrounds to the active light or dark theme. (#537)
 - Let desktop users select and copy AI chat text without replacing it with the selected canvas layers. (#538)
diff --git a/desktop/capabilities/default.json b/desktop/capabilities/default.json
index 00063fe9b..57d4a5bd7 100644
--- a/desktop/capabilities/default.json
+++ b/desktop/capabilities/default.json
@@ -18,10 +18,28 @@
       "identifier": "fs:allow-read-file",
       "allow": [{ "path": "**" }]
     },
+    {
+      "identifier": "fs:allow-read-text-file",
+      "allow": [
+        { "path": "$HOME/Library/Application Support/OpenPencil/mcp.json" },
+        { "path": "$LOCALDATA/OpenPencil/mcp.json" },
+        { "path": "$RUNTIME/openpencil/mcp.json" },
+        { "path": "$HOME/.openpencil/mcp.json" }
+      ]
+    },
     {
       "identifier": "fs:allow-write-file",
       "allow": [{ "path": "**" }]
     },
+    {
+      "identifier": "fs:allow-exists",
+      "allow": [
+        { "path": "$HOME/Library/Application Support/OpenPencil/mcp.json" },
+        { "path": "$LOCALDATA/OpenPencil/mcp.json" },
+        { "path": "$RUNTIME/openpencil/mcp.json" },
+        { "path": "$HOME/.openpencil/mcp.json" }
+      ]
+    },
     {
       "identifier": "fs:allow-mkdir",
       "allow": [{ "path": "**" }]