Filesystem MCP vs Filesystem
A side-by-side look at the Filesystem MCP and Filesystem MCP servers: transport, auth, tools, quality signals, and the config to install either one in Claude, Cursor, Windsurf or VS Code.
Verdict: choose Filesystem MCP for file systems work as a local process; choose Filesystem for file systems as a local process. You can also run both side by side in one mcpServers block.
Which MCP server should you choose?
Choose Filesystem MCP when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the File Systems domain.
- You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
- You want tools like
list_roots, list, find_files.
Choose Filesystem when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the File Systems domain.
- You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
- Its auth model fits you: No auth required.
- You want tools like
path, head, tail.
Feature & specification comparison
Rows where the two servers differ are marked.
| Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
| Category | File Systems | File Systems |
| Quality signal | 60/100 · Good | 85/100 · Excellent |
| Install command | Confirmed | Confirmed |
| Transport | Local subprocess (stdio) | Local subprocess (stdio) |
| Auth | Not declared | No auth required |
| Pricing | Not declared | Free |
| Required env vars | None listed | None listed |
| Verified owner | Community listing | Verified |
| GitHub stars | 25 | 91,540 |
| Directory activity | 6 views 0 installs 0 upvotes | 11 views 0 installs 0 upvotes |
| Tools | 7 | 17 |
| Full listing | View Filesystem MCP | View Filesystem |
Tools & capabilities
Filesystem MCP tools 7
list_rootsShows the folders the server may use.listLists a folder as a tree, like `ls` or `tree`.find_filesFinds files by name or glob, such as `**/*.test.ts`.search_textSearches inside files for text or a regex, like `grep`, with optional context lines.statGets size, dates, type, permissions, and a token estimate without reading the file.readReads text files whole or by lines, head, or tail. Images and audio come back as media; others with `binary`.diffCompares two files and returns a unified diff.
Filesystem tools 17
pathheadtailpathscontenteditsoldTextnewTextdryRunsortBysourcedestination- +5 more on the listing page
Ready-to-paste client configs
Paste either block (or both) into your client config, e.g. claude_desktop_config.json or ~/.cursor/mcp.json. We only show a config when the install command is confirmed.
Filesystem MCP
{
"mcpServers": {
"filesystem-mcp": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@j0hanz/filesystem-mcp@latest"
]
}
}
}
Filesystem
{
"mcpServers": {
"filesystem": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@modelcontextprotocol/server-filesystem"
]
}
}
}
Frequently asked questions
Filesystem MCP is categorized under File Systems and uses a local stdio subprocess. Filesystem belongs to File Systems and uses a local stdio subprocess. Pick Filesystem MCP for file systems work and Filesystem for file systems.
Copy the mcpServers block from the config section on this page into your client's config (for example claude_desktop_config.json or ~/.cursor/mcp.json), then fully restart the client.
Filesystem MCP has no declared pricing — check the project's own site. Filesystem is listed as free. Auth: no auth required. If a server needs environment variables such as API keys, define them under the env key in your client's MCP config.
Yes. MCP clients support multiple servers: add filesystem-mcp and filesystem as separate keys in the same mcpServers object, and your assistant will call tools from either one.
On AllMCPs, Filesystem MCP has a quality signal of 60/100 (Good) with 6 views, 0 installs and 25 GitHub stars. Filesystem has 85/100 (Excellent) with 11 views, 0 installs and 91,540 GitHub stars.
