Filesystem

You can run a filesystem MCP Server to perform read and write operations, directory management, searching, and metadata queries on your local filesystem within strictly allowed directories. This enables automated filesystem control through a standardized MCP interface while keeping operations safe and confined to predefined paths.

How to use

Use the filesystem MCP Server to perform common file operations from your MCP client. You can read and write files, create and list directories, move items, search for files, and retrieve detailed metadata. The server enforces a safety boundary by only permitting actions within directories you specify when starting the server.

Typical tasks you can accomplish include reading file contents, listing directory contents with a [DIR]/[FILE] prefix, creating directories as needed, moving files or folders, and retrieving file information such as size and timestamps. When you set up the server, you provide the list of allowed directories so every operation stays within those boundaries.

How to install

Prerequisites: You need Go installed on your system to install the server binary.

Install the filesystem MCP Server binary using the following command.

go install github.com/mark3labs/mcp-filesystem-server

Configuration and starting the server

Configure the MCP client to connect to the filesystem server by providing the runtime command and the list of allowed directories. The example below shows how to add the server configuration to your client.

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "filesystem": {
      "command": "mcp-filesystem-server",
      "args": [
        "/Users/username/Desktop",
        "/path/to/other/allowed/dir"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Available tools

read_file

Read complete contents of a file with UTF-8 encoding. Input: path (string). Returns the file contents.

read_multiple_files

Read multiple files simultaneously. Input: paths (string[]). Failed reads won't stop the entire operation.

write_file

Create new file or overwrite existing. Inputs: path (string) and content (string). Use with caution.

create_directory

Create a new directory or ensure it exists. Input: path (string). Creates parent directories if needed. Succeeds silently if directory already exists.

list_directory

List directory contents with [FILE] or [DIR] prefixes. Input: path (string).

move_file

Move or rename files and directories. Inputs: source (string), destination (string). Fails if destination exists.

search_files

Recursively search for files or directories. Inputs: path (string) starting directory and pattern (string). Case-insensitive and returns full paths to matches.

get_file_info

Get detailed file or directory metadata. Input: path (string). Returns size, creation time, modified time, access time, type, and permissions.

list_allowed_directories

List all directories the server is allowed to access. No input. Returns the directories the server can read/write from.