read_fileLABSCO SUMMARY
Local files an assistant can actually work in, inside a boundary you set.
Two things make it usable rather than merely readable: search that looks inside files, and a find-and-replace edit that changes one part of a file instead of rewriting the whole thing.
What it is
A filesystem server for local files, limited to the directories allowed when it starts. It covers the full set of file and directory operations, including search across file contents rather than filenames alone.
What you get
- Files read one at a time, or several in a single operation
- Files written, copied, moved, renamed and deleted, with recursive delete available for directories
- Targeted edits by find and replace, with regex and all-occurrences as options — an update rather than a rewrite
- Directories listed in detail, created, and traversed as a hierarchy
- Files found recursively by name pattern, and by their contents when the name is not the part you remember
- File metadata read on its own, and the allowed directory list readable so the boundary is never a guess
Requirements
A Go binary registered with your client. The directories it may touch are set when it starts, and it will report that list back on request — everything outside it is out of reach.
Setup effort
One command — go install github.com/mark3labs/mcp-filesystem-server@latest
USE CASES
01
Changing one string across a project
Find the files that contain it by content, then apply the replacement in place — regex if the pattern needs it.
02
Getting oriented in an unfamiliar folder
List the directory in detail and open several files at once, instead of one round trip each.
03
Finding a file you only half remember
Search recursively by name pattern, and by content when the name was never the memorable part.
04
Reorganising a folder
Create the directory, move or copy the files into it, and delete what is left over.
05
Checking what the assistant is allowed to touch
The allowed directory list is readable, so the boundary is confirmed rather than assumed.
06
Writing out a file the conversation just produced
Write it to the path you name, then read it back to confirm what landed.
14 tools
Listed in project docs. Your client may show a different list.
read_multiple_fileswrite_filecopy_filemove_filedelete_filemodify_filelist_directorycreate_directorytreesearch_filessearch_within_filesget_file_infolist_allowed_directoriesBEFORE YOU INSTALL
What to know first
Tools you get
14 tools named in the project's documentation.
INSTALLATION
Connect your client
Server setup
Configuration file
JSON
{
"mcpServers": {
"filesystem": {
"command": "mcp-filesystem-server",
"args": [
"<YOUR_PATH_TO_ALLOWED_DIRECTORY>",
"<YOUR_PATH_TO_ANOTHER_ALLOWED_DIRECTORY>"
]
}
}
}<YOUR_PATH_TO_ALLOWED_DIRECTORY> and <YOUR_PATH_TO_ANOTHER_ALLOWED_DIRECTORY> are the directories the server may read and write — list one or more; it works only inside the directories you list.
go install
TERMINAL
go install github.com/mark3labs/mcp-filesystem-server@latest
