Anthropic (reference server) · official

Filesystem

Read and search files in folders you explicitly allow.

The Filesystem skill lets an assistant list, read, search, and (if you allow it) write files in specific folders on your computer. You pass the allowed folders in the configuration — everything else stays invisible. This is the skill behind "summarize all invoices in this folder" or "find the contract that mentions X". No API key, runs fully local.

Install Filesystem

You need: an AI app that supports skills (pick yours above) · Node.js (LTS) — one-time install from nodejs.org. Check with `node -v` in a terminal.

Open Settings → Developer → Edit Config in Claude Desktop (this opens claude_desktop_config.json) and merge this block, then fully restart the app:

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

Recipes using this skill

Let your AI assistant search and summarize files on your computer

Your documents, invoices, and contracts live in folders on your machine — and you want to ask questions about them ("find the contract that mentions X", "sum up these invoices") without uploading anything anywhere.

~4 min · step-by-step with copy-paste prompt
Vendor
Anthropic (reference server)
Category
Files on your computer
API key
Not required
Source
Open ↗

FAQ

What is the Filesystem skill?
The Filesystem skill lets an assistant list, read, search, and (if you allow it) write files in specific folders on your computer. You pass the allowed folders in the configuration — everything else stays invisible. This is the skill behind "summarize all invoices in this folder" or "find the contract that mentions X". No API key, runs fully local.
How do I install Filesystem in Claude Desktop?
Open Settings → Developer → Edit Config in Claude Desktop and add a filesystem entry under mcpServers (the install widget on this page generates the exact block). Fully restart the app afterwards. Local skills run on Node.js — install the LTS version from nodejs.org once.
Does Filesystem need an API key?
No. Filesystem works without an API key.
Which apps can use Filesystem?
Filesystem works with Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor, VS Code — any app that supports the Model Context Protocol (MCP).
Is my site ready for AI agents like the ones using Filesystem?
Run a free check at https://agentics.page — it audits whether your robots.txt allows the right bots, whether you publish llms.txt and JSON-LD, and whether AI agents can actually consume your site.

Is your domain ready for AI agents?

Assistants equipped with skills like Filesystem are already visiting your site. agentics checks whether they can read, find, and trust your domain — free, no signup.

Run free check →

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