Filesystem

by Model Context Protocol

Repository Docs npm

Featured Files & Storage

filesystemfilesreferencelocal

Summary

Secure local file operations for agents — read, write, search, and edit files within configurable allowed directories.

Features

Read and write files
List and search directories
Move and rename files
Configurable allowed-directory sandbox
Line-based file edits

Installation

Set up this MCP server in your favorite AI agent — copy a ready-made configuration below.

Any MCP-compatible agent

Most agents (Claude, Cursor, Windsurf, VS Code, and more) read a standard mcpServers configuration.

Open your agent's MCP configuration file.
Merge the snippet below into it.
Restart the agent — the "Filesystem" tools will be available.

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "filesystem": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@modelcontextprotocol/server-filesystem",
        "/Users/you/Desktop",
        "/Users/you/Projects"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Claude Code

Add the server with a single CLI command.

claude mcp add filesystem -- npx -y @modelcontextprotocol/server-filesystem /Users/you/Desktop /Users/you/Projects

Claude Desktop

Add the server to claude_desktop_config.json (Settings → Developer → Edit Config).

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "filesystem": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@modelcontextprotocol/server-filesystem",
        "/Users/you/Desktop",
        "/Users/you/Projects"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Cursor

{
  "command": "npx",
  "args": [
    "-y",
    "@modelcontextprotocol/server-filesystem",
    "/path/to/allowed/dir"
  ]
}

Description

The reference Filesystem MCP server. It gives an agent controlled access to the local file system — reading and writing files, listing and searching directories, moving files, and editing content — restricted to directories you explicitly allow. A safe, foundational server for letting an assistant work with local files.