Filesystem Context MCP Server

Filesystem-MCP is a Model Context Protocol server that lets AI assistants read and write files within explicitly allowed directories. Sensitive file patterns (.env, .pem, id_rsa) are blocked by default. It exposes filesystem tools, resources, and prompts over stdio or Streamable HTTP transport. Its 13 documented tools cluster into read & search, update, stat, diff.

People who work with analysis, filesystem and scanner and want it reachable from Claude, Cursor, VS Code, or another MCP client. The project is written in TypeScript.

VERIFIED ACTIVE

LAST COMMIT 2026-09-17 · ★ 22 · #36 OF 41 MAINTAINED FILESYSTEM · VERIFIED 2026-09-18

MIT · TypeScript servers · how we verify → /methodology

01 · Install Filesystem Context

before you install - you'll need

FS_ALLOWED_DIRS

Environment variables documented in the project's README - it lists which are required and which have defaults.

Claude Code

claude mcp add j0hanz-filesystem-context-mcp-server -- npx -y @j0hanz/filesystem-context-mcp

Claude Desktop / Cursor / VS Code - add to config

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "j0hanz-filesystem-context-mcp-server": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@j0hanz/filesystem-context-mcp"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Same JSON for Cursor. For VS Code, rename the top-level key from `mcpServers` to `servers`.

Using another client? Same JSON, different key

Claude Desktop · mcpServers

Cursor · mcpServers

VS Code · servers

Windsurf · mcpServers

Zed · context_servers

Cline · mcpServers

Roo Code · mcpServers

Continue · mcpServers

LibreChat · mcpServers

Gemini CLI · mcpServers

Codex CLI · mcp_servers

Full setup guides: every client.

02 · Evidence

Security posture

What to check before giving this server access to your agent - from the registry, GitHub, and our own probes. We don't score safety; we show what's verifiable.

runs as local process (stdio) - runs on your machine with your user's permissions

license MIT - declared in the repository

npm package @j0hanz/filesystem-context-mcp - published under the repo owner's npm scope (@j0hanz)

registry namespace io.github.j0hanz is GitHub-verified and matches the repo owner

03 · What Filesystem Context can do

Prose above is summarized from the project's README and registry record - no invented capabilities.

What you can build

With this server connected, an agent can list allowed workspace roots. Call this first - all other tools scope to these, list directory contents. Returns entries (dirs-first, alphabetical) and an ASCII tree, find files by glob pattern (e.g. /.ts). Returns matching files with metadata, and get file/directory metadata: size, modified time, permissions, MIME type, token estimate.

Capability map

Tools grouped from the project's README - what Filesystem Context lets an agent do.

read & search

5 tools - e.g. List allowed workspace roots. Call this first - all other tools scope to these.; List directory contents. Returns entries (dirs-first, alphabetical) and an ASCII tree.; Find files by glob pattern (e.g.…

list_roots · list · find_files · search_text · read

update

3 tools - e.g. Apply sequential literal string replacements to one or more files (max 5 per call).; Move, rename, or copy (copy: true) one or more files/directories to explicit destinations.; Apply a single-file unified…

edit · move · patch

Stat

1 tool - e.g. Get file/directory metadata: size, modified time, permissions, MIME type, token estimate.

stat

Diff

1 tool - e.g. Compare two files and return a unified diff with added/removed line counts.

diff

create & write

1 tool - e.g. Create one or more files, creating parent directories as needed. An existing file prompts the user to confirm the overwrite; overwrite: true on an entry skips t

create

delete

1 tool - e.g. Permanently delete one or more files or directories. This action is irreversible.

delete

Replace

1 tool - e.g. Bulk search-and-replace across files matching a glob pattern.

replace_text

Latest releases

v2.4.1 · 2026-09-17

A bug-fix release. One paging line reported the wrong range; the published · surface is byte-identical to 2.4.0, so nothing needs adapting before you · upgrade. · Fixed · search_text reported the wrong range when…

v2.4.0 · 2026-09-17

A trim release: one over-engineering audit applied across the tree, plus · three confirmation-flow refinements. No tool is renamed and no input field · changes shape. Read Removed before upgrading if a launcher passes…

v2.3.0 · 2026-09-16

A security fix for operator deny rules, three additions, and two write tools · that stop guessing. No tool is renamed or removed and no existing input field · changes shape: create gains append and overwrite…

04 · Who maintains Filesystem Context

filesystem-context is maintained by j0hanz. We track 9 MCP servers from j0hanz - 9 actively maintained, 45 combined GitHub stars, oldest repo from Dec 2025. Full record: all servers from j0hanz.

Filesystem MCP Secure filesystem MCP server for reading, writing, searching, diffing, and patching files. ★ 22

05 · Facts

repository: github.com/j0hanz/filesystem-context-mcp-server
category: filesystem - ranked #36 of 41 actively-maintained filesystem servers as of 2026-09-18.
release cadence: 10+ releases in the last 90 days (latest 2026-09-17)
registry: io.github.j0hanz/filesystem-context (active, first published 2025-12-12)
packages: npm:@j0hanz/filesystem-context-mcp

06 · Filesystem Context FAQ

Is Filesystem Context still maintained?

Yes - as of 2026-09-18, its last commit was 2026-09-17 and it shipped 10+ releases in the last 90 days. We re-verify nightly.

What can Filesystem Context do?

How do I install Filesystem Context?

Run `npx -y @j0hanz/filesystem-context-mcp`. The README documents one environment variable (FS_ALLOWED_DIRS) to set first. You can also paste the ready-made client config above.

Does Filesystem Context run locally?

Yes - it's a stdio server: it runs on your machine (via npx) with your user's permissions. Your data stays local unless the server itself calls external APIs.

07 · Alternatives to Filesystem Context

Alternatives to Filesystem Context

Maintained filesystem servers if Filesystem Context isn't the fit.

More filesystem MCP servers · Filesystem MCP · Virtual Filesystem · Cairn

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