Filesystem MCP Server

What is the Filesystem MCP Server?

The Filesystem MCP Server provides controlled, secure local file system access to AI models. Designed with rigorous security sandboxing, it ensures agents can only read, write, list, and search files inside explicitly whitelisted directories, preventing accidental modifications to sensitive system folders.

Supported File Operations

• read_file & write_file: Read file content and create or overwrite local files.
• list_directory: View directory trees and file metadata.
• move_file: Safely rename and relocate workspace files.
• search_files: Recursive glob-based filename and directory pattern searching.
• get_file_info: Retrieve file sizes, modification timestamps, and access permissions.

Configuration & Sandboxing

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

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can the filesystem server access files outside the specified directory?

No. Path traversal attacks (like ../) are strictly blocked at the MCP protocol layer. The agent cannot read or write any file outside the configured path.

Can multiple allowed directories be configured?

Yes, you can pass multiple directory paths as separate CLI arguments in the args array.

Is it cross-platform?

Yes, it operates consistently across macOS, Linux, and Windows.