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Filesystem MCP Server

Official
Secure local file read/write access
How to install ↓ Compare GitHub source repository ↗
Category
Filesystem #1 of 24
Stars
★ 91.2k Very popular
Transport
stdio (local process)
Runtime
Node.js
Credentials
No credential needed
License
Other / unspecified
Last commit
Tools
6
84FMRS · B

A reference implementation with clear path boundaries and straightforward setup; reliability reserves runtime-verification points until a handshake is recorded at a fixed revision.

Strongest · Setup experience 18/20 Weakest · Security and permissions 16/20

Reliability
17/20
Security and permissions
16/20
Maintenance
16/20
Documentation
17/20
Setup experience
18/20

Test out of dateListed 2026-07-13

Read the FMRS scoring method →

Fit and risk

What it can accessReads local filesWrites / deletes local files

Best for

  • Local assistants that need to work inside explicitly approved directories
  • Individuals and development teams that want path-based data boundaries

Not for

  • Highly sensitive environments that cannot allow model access to local file contents
  • Shared remote file-service use cases

Required permissions

  • Read access to every local directory listed in the configuration
  • Filesystem write access when write or move tools are enabled

Risks and side effects

  • Sensitive files inside an allowed directory may enter model context
  • Write and move tools change real files; keep scopes narrow and maintain backups

Setup

Before you start

Runtime：Node.js

Add the server entry below to your client configuration, then replace the example path with the local directory you want to allow.

claude_desktop_config.json 
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "filesystem": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@modelcontextprotocol/server-filesystem",
        "/Users/you/Documents"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Shown for Claude Desktop. Other clients may use a different file or key (VS Code uses "servers") — the configurator below converts it.

.vscode/mcp.json
{
  "servers": {
    "filesystem": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@modelcontextprotocol/server-filesystem",
        "/Users/you/Documents"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Goes in your project's .vscode/mcp.json (VS Code uses a "servers" key).

Terminal
claude mcp add filesystem -- npx -y @modelcontextprotocol/server-filesystem /Users/you/Documents

Run it in a terminal; replace any <…> placeholders with your own values first.

Generate and validate client config

Check that it works

The client's tool list should show read_file, list_directory, and the other filesystem tools; ask the AI to run list_directory and confirm it returns the contents of the configured allowed directory (e.g. /Users/you/Documents).

Troubleshooting

  1. Confirm Node.js and npx are available
  2. Check that every configured path exists and is accessible to the current user
  3. Fully restart the client after changing its configuration

Things to try

Once connected, you can ask your AI assistant things like:

  • Read the contents of notes.txt in my Documents directory
  • List the files in my Documents folder
  • Create a new folder called projects in Documents
  • Move report.txt into the archive folder

Tools 6

read_file read-only
Read the complete contents of a specified file
write_file writes
Write to an existing file or create a new one
list_directory read-only
List files and subdirectories in a directory
create_directory writes
Create a new directory
move_file writes
Move or rename a file
search_files read-only
Recursively search for files by name pattern

Use cases

Organize local project files and archive old versions
Let an assistant inspect log files while troubleshooting
Batch rename images or documents

Supported clients

Claude Desktop
Cursor
Cline
WindsurfPartial support

Listed from the project's documentation, not tested by this site.

Overview

This server gives models controlled access to browse, read, write, and manage local files and directories. Access is limited to explicitly allowed paths, making it a foundational MCP server for local workflows.

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Source revision bbb701e7ac1e Data synced 2026-10-14 Read the FMRS scoring method