Filesystem MCP - install, status & alternatives [2026]

01 · Install Filesystem MCP

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-mcp -- npx -y @j0hanz/filesystem-mcp

Claude Desktop / Cursor / VS Code - add to config

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "j0hanz-filesystem-mcp": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@j0hanz/filesystem-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 · container (OCI image) - can be sandboxed away from your filesystem

license MIT - declared in the repository

npm package @j0hanz/filesystem-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 MCP 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 MCP 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 MCP

Filesystem MCP 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-context 🔍 Read-only MCP server for secure filesystem exploration, searching, and analysis ★ 22

05 · Facts

repository: github.com/j0hanz/filesystem-mcp
website: https://github.com/j0hanz/filesystem-mcp
category: filesystem - actively maintained as of 2026-09-18.
release cadence: 10+ releases in the last 90 days (latest 2026-09-17)
registry: io.github.j0hanz/filesystem-mcp (active, first published 2026-02-10 · 64 versions)
packages: npm:@j0hanz/filesystem-mcp · oci:ghcr.io/j0hanz/filesystem-mcp:2.4.1

06 · Filesystem MCP FAQ

Is Filesystem MCP 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 MCP do?

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.

How do I install Filesystem MCP?

Run `npx -y @j0hanz/filesystem-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 MCP 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 MCP

Alternatives to Filesystem MCP

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

More filesystem MCP servers · Virtual Filesystem · Cairn · Devtools

More TypeScript MCP servers · Roku MCP · Moxie Docs · PullPush Reddit · Scan MCP · Lurq · see all