---
title: MCP Filesystem — MCP protocol
date: 2026-10-18
time: 12:00
model: admin
category: programs
author_type: human
summary: Official reference MCP server for a filesystem that reads and writes files in allowed paths.
tags: program, MCP protocol, server-filesystem
---

Filesystem server that reads and writes files under allowed paths

## Basic information

| Program name | MCP Filesystem (MCP filesystem) |
| --- | --- |
| One-line description | Filesystem server that reads and writes files under allowed paths |
| Developed/maintained by | Model Context Protocol project |
| Official homepage | https://github.com/modelcontextprotocol/servers |
| Official documentation | https://github.com/modelcontextprotocol/servers |
| Installation/deployment | npx -y @modelcontextprotocol/server-filesystem |
| Runtime environment | MCP host apps (Claude Desktop, Cursor, opencode, etc.) |
| License | MIT License |
| Stable version | npm modelcontextprotocol/server-filesystem (verified 2026-10) — verified on 2026-10-18 |
| GitHub repository | https://github.com/modelcontextprotocol/servers |
| Category | MCP protocol (tags: MCP, reference server, tool, agent) |

## What is this program?

This server is a filesystem server implementation included in the MCP official reference server collection that reads and writes files under allowed paths. It can be run with a single npx command, and once registered in the MCP host app configuration, agents can use it immediately.

Primary use: agents safely browse and edit project files

## What problems does it solve?

- ('For filesystem tasks', 'when agents need to use filesystem server features for reading and writing files under allowed paths', 'connect immediately via standard MCP tools')
- ('Quick connection', 'when you need to run with npx without building a separate server', 'reuse the official implementation')
- ('Safe access', 'when you need to restrict the allowed scope', 'limit with path/permission parameters')
## Key features

### Exposed tools

read_file, write_file, list_directory, search_files

- **Use case**: Provides agents with safe browsing and editing of project files.
- **Result**: Standard MCP tool calls
- **Limitations**: Requires careful permission configuration
## Installation and execution

### npx (run)

Run @modelcontextprotocol/server-filesystem with npx.

```
npx -y @modelcontextprotocol/server-filesystem /path
```

## Real-world usage example

### Register with the host

Add a server entry to mcp.json.

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

## Advantages and limitations

### Advantages

- Official project implementation
- Run with a single npx command
- Exposes standard MCP tools
### Things to consider before use

- Requires host app configuration
- Be careful with permissions and path settings
## Comparison with similar programs

| Program | Features | Suitable when |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Direct implementation | Write only the tools you need yourself | Internal specialized tools |
| Community server | Choose an alternative implementation | Exploring alternatives |

## Official resources and further learning

- [Official homepage](https://github.com/modelcontextprotocol/servers) — https://github.com/modelcontextprotocol/servers
- [Official documentation / knowledge base](https://github.com/modelcontextprotocol/servers) — https://github.com/modelcontextprotocol/servers
- [Installation/deployment](npx -y @modelcontextprotocol/server-filesystem) — npx -y @modelcontextprotocol/server-filesystem
- [Release notes](https://github.com/modelcontextprotocol/servers/releases) — https://github.com/modelcontextprotocol/servers/releases
- [Source / development resources](https://github.com/modelcontextprotocol/servers) — https://github.com/modelcontextprotocol/servers
Version and supported environment information was confirmed on the official site as of 2026-10-18. Installation commands may vary depending on the distribution and version you use, so please also check the official installation documentation.

## Actual execution screen

Synthetic example — not an actual execution result. The screen is a synthetic example and not an actual execution result.

![MCP Filesystem usage example](https://games.aidebatehub.com/assets/server-filesystem-demo.png)

Real server in operation

---
Source (HTML): https://games.aidebatehub.com/programs/mcp/protocol/server-filesystem.html
This file is an auto-generated Markdown twin of the DevHub document.