Filesystem MCP

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# Filesystem MCP Server

[![npm version](https://img.shields.io/npm/v/%40j0hanz%2Ffilesystem-mcp?style=flat-square&logo=npm)](https://www.npmjs.com/package/%40j0hanz%2Ffilesystem-mcp) [![License: MIT](https://img.shields.io/badge/license-MIT-blue?style=flat-square)](#contributing-and-license)

[![Install in VS Code](https://img.shields.io/badge/VS_Code-Install_Server-0098FF?style=flat-square&logo=visualstudiocode&logoColor=white)](https://insiders.vscode.dev/redirect/mcp/install?name=filesystem&config=%7B%22command%22%3A%22npx%22%2C%22args%22%3A%5B%22-y%22%2C%22%40j0hanz%2Ffilesystem-mcp%40latest%22%5D%7D) [![Install in VS Code Insiders](https://img.shields.io/badge/VS_Code_Insiders-Install_Server-24bfa5?style=flat-square&logo=visualstudiocode&logoColor=white)](https://insiders.vscode.dev/redirect/mcp/install?name=filesystem&config=%7B%22command%22%3A%22npx%22%2C%22args%22%3A%5B%22-y%22%2C%22%40j0hanz%2Ffilesystem-mcp%40latest%22%5D%7D&quality=insiders) [![Install in Visual Studio](https://img.shields.io/badge/Visual_Studio-Install_Server-C16FDE?logo=visualstudio&logoColor=white)](https://vs-open.link/mcp-install?%7B%22filesystem-mcp%22%3A%7B%22command%22%3A%22npx%22%2C%22args%22%3A%5B%22-y%22%2C%22%40j0hanz%2Ffilesystem-mcp%40latest%22%5D%7D%7D)

[![Add to LM Studio](https://files.lmstudio.ai/deeplink/mcp-install-light.svg)](https://lmstudio.ai/install-mcp?name=filesystem&config=eyJjb21tYW5kIjoibnB4IiwiYXJncyI6WyIteSIsIkBqMGhhbnovZmlsZXN5c3RlbS1tY3BAbGF0ZXN0Il19) [![Install in Cursor](https://cursor.com/deeplink/mcp-install-dark.svg)](https://cursor.com/en/install-mcp?name=filesystem&config=eyJjb21tYW5kIjoibnB4IiwiYXJncyI6WyIteSIsIkBqMGhhbnovZmlsZXN5c3RlbS1tY3BAbGF0ZXN0Il19) [![Install in Goose](https://block.github.io/goose/img/extension-install-dark.svg)](https://block.github.io/goose/extension?cmd=npx&arg=-y&arg=%40j0hanz%2Ffilesystem-mcp%40latest&id=%40j0hanz%2Ffilesystem-mcp&name=filesystem&description=MCP%20Server%20that%20enables%20LLMs%20to%20interact%20with%20the%20local%20filesystem.)

A local filesystem MCP server that lets LLMs and AI agents read, write, search, diff, patch, and manage files safely and efficiently. Built for reliable, structured, and controlled filesystem interaction.

## Overview

A secure, production-ready [Model Context Protocol](https://modelcontextprotocol.io) server that gives AI assistants controlled access to the local filesystem. All operations are sandboxed to explicitly allowed directories with path traversal prevention, sensitive file blocking, and optional Bearer token authentication.

Supports stdio (default) and Streamable HTTP transport with SSE support. HTTP sessions are implemented with isolated per-session server state.

## Key Features

- **18 filesystem tools** — read, write, search, diff, patch, hash, and bulk operations with structured output schemas
- **Security-first** — path validation, symlink escape prevention, sensitive file denylist, localhost-only CORS, optional API key auth
- **Dual transport** — stdio for local use, Streamable HTTP with SSE for networked/multi-session deployments
- **Structured output** — all tools return typed `outputSchema` / `structuredContent` for reliable LLM parsing
- **Self-documenting** — 6 built-in resources (`internal://instructions`, `internal://tool-catalog`, etc.) and 4 built-in prompts (`get-help`, `compare-files`, `analyze-path`, `get-tool-help`)

## Requirements

- Node.js >= 24

## Quick Start

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "filesystem": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@j0hanz/filesystem-mcp@latest"]
    }
  }
}
```

### Docker

```bash
docker run -i --rm -v /path/to/project:/workspace:ro ghcr.io/j0hanz/filesystem-mcp /workspace
```

Or using Docker Compose:

```yaml
services:
  filesystem-mcp:
    build: .
    stdin_open: true
    volumes:
      - ./:/projects/workspace:ro
    command: ['/projects/workspace']
```

### CLI Usage

```
filesystem-mcp [options] [allowedDirs...]

Arguments:
  allowedDirs              Directories the server can access

Options:
  --allow-cwd              Allow the current working directory as an additional root
  --port <number>          Enable HTTP transport on the given port
  -v, --version            Display server version
  -h, --help               Display help

Examples:
  $ npx @j0hanz/filesystem-mcp@latest /path/to/project
  $ npx @j0hanz/filesystem-mcp@latest --allow-cwd
  $ npx @j0hanz/filesystem-mcp@latest --port 3000 /path/to/project
```

## Client Configuration

<details>
<summary><b>Install in VS Code</b></summary>

[![Install in VS Code](https://img.shields.io/badge/VS_Code-Install_Server-0098FF?style=flat-square&logo=visualstudiocode&logoColor=white)](https://insiders.vscode.dev/redirect/mcp/install?name=filesystem&config=%7B%22command%22%3A%22npx%22%2C%22args%22%3A%5B%22-y%22%2C%22%40j0hanz%2Ffilesystem-mcp%40latest%22%5D%7D)

Add to `.vscode/mcp.json`:

```json
{
  "servers": {
    "filesystem": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@j0han