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Nazmus Sakib Apurba
Nazmus Sakib Apurba

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🔥 Claude + Filesystem MCP: Superpower File Management Using AI

#cladue #mcp #llm #ai

Hey there, tech enthusiasts! If you’ve ever wanted to automate your file management tasks with the power of AI, you’re in for a treat. Today, I’m diving into how you can use the Claude File System MCP (Model Context Protocol) to organize your computer’s files effortlessly. Trust me, this is a game-changer, and you’re gonna love it! This blog will walk you through the setup, usage, and some practical examples to get you started. Plus, I’ll include code snippets to make it super clear. Let’s get started!

What is the Claude File System MCP?

The Model Context Protocol (MCP) is a protocol introduced by Anthropic in November 2024 to enable seamless integration between large language models (LLMs) like Claude and external data sources, such as your computer’s file system. With the Claude File System MCP, you can give Claude access to your files and directories, allowing it to read, write, move, or organize them based on your instructions. Imagine telling Claude, “Hey, sort my Downloads folder by file type,” and watching it create folders for images, text files, audio, and more, moving everything automatically. That’s the superpower we’re talking about!

This is perfect for developers, content creators, or anyone who wants to automate repetitive file management tasks without writing complex scripts from scratch. And the best part? It’s completely free to set up on your own computer.

Why Use the Claude File System MCP?

  • Automation: Organize files, create directories, and move files with simple prompts.
  • Integration: Connect Claude with your file system, Google Drive, or even third-party services like Amazon S3 or Gmail.
  • Flexibility: Works on Windows, macOS, or Linux with minimal setup.
  • Free and Open: The MCP server is open-source under the MIT License, so you can tweak it to your needs.

Prerequisites

Before we dive into the setup, you’ll need:

  1. Node.js: The MCP server requires Node.js to run. Download it from nodejs.org and install it.
  2. Claude Desktop: Download the Claude Desktop app from Anthropic’s website (free plan works fine).
  3. Basic Terminal Knowledge: You’ll run a few commands to set up the MCP server.
  4. VS Code (Optional): For easier configuration and integration.

Step-by-Step Setup

Let’s set up the Claude File System MCP on your computer. I’ll use a Windows example, but the process is similar for macOS and Linux.

Step 1: Install Node.js

  • Go to nodejs.org and download the latest LTS version.
  • Run the installer and follow the prompts (Next, Next, Install).
  • Verify the installation by opening a terminal (Command Prompt on Windows) and typing: 
node --version
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Step 2: Install Claude Desktop

  • Download the Claude Desktop app from Anthropic’s website.
  • Install it and sign in with your Google account (or create a free Anthropic account).
  • Once installed, open Claude Desktop and ensure it’s running.

Step 3: Configure the File System MCP

To connect Claude to your file system, you need to configure the MCP server. Here’s how:

1. Open Claude Desktop Settings:

  • Click the three-dot menu in Claude Desktop.
  • Go to Settings > Developer > Edit Config.
  • This opens the claude_desktop_config.json file in your default editor (e.g., Notepad++ or VS Code).

2. Add the File System MCP Server Configuration:
Replace the existing config with the following JSON, updating the paths to match your system. For example, I’ll use the Downloads folder for a user named “John” on Windows.

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "filesystem": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@modelcontextprotocol/server-filesystem",
        "C:\\Users\\John\\Downloads"
      ]
    }
  }
}
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Explanation:

  • command: "npx": Uses NPX to run the MCP server.
  • args: Specifies the MCP server package (@modelcontextprotocol/server-filesystem) and the directory to access (C:\Users\John\Downloads).
  • Replace C:\Users\John\Downloads with the path to your desired folder (e.g., /Users/username/Downloads on macOS).

3. Save and Exit:

  • Save the claude_desktop_config.json file (Ctrl+S).
  • Close Claude Desktop completely (right-click the tray icon and select Quit).
  • Reopen Claude Desktop. It may take a moment to start the MCP server.

4. Verify the MCP Server:

Go back to Settings > Developer in Claude Desktop.

You should see a new File System MCP server listed. If it says “Disconnected,” double-check your config file paths or restart Claude.

Step 4: Test the Setup

Let’s test the MCP server by asking Claude to list the files in your Downloads folder.

In Claude Desktop, type:

List all files in my Downloads folder.
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Claude will execute a command via the MCP server and return a list of files, like:

[FILE] image.jpg
[FILE] document.txt
[DIR] Telegram Desktop

If you see this, congratulations! Your MCP server is working.

Practical Example: Organize Your Downloads Folder

Now, let’s use the MCP server to organize your Downloads folder by file type, just like I described earlier. Here’s a sample prompt and what happens behind the scenes.

Prompt

Analyze all files in my Downloads folder. Create separate folders for each file type (e.g., Images, Text, Audio, System) and move the files into their respective folders.
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What Claude Does

  • Analyzes Files: Claude scans the Downloads folder and identifies file types based on extensions (e.g., .jpg for images, .txt for text, .mp3 for audio).
  • Creates Folders: It creates directories like Images, Text, Audio, and System using the create_directory tool.
  • Moves Files: It uses the move_file tool to relocate each file to its corresponding folder.
  • Confirms Success: Claude notifies you when the task is complete.

Example Output

After running the prompt, your Downloads folder might look like this:

Downloads/
├── Images/
│   └── image.jpg
├── Text/
│   └── document.txt
├── Audio/
│   └── song.mp3
├── System/
│   └── setup.exe
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Advanced Example: Create a Summary File

Let’s try something more advanced. Suppose you want Claude to research AI news from May 2025 and create a text file with links and descriptions.

Prompt

Collect all AI news from May 2025, including links and a few lines of description for each. Create a text file in my Downloads folder named "AI_News_May_2025.txt" with the results.
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What Happens

  • 1. Claude searches the web for AI news from May 2025 (using its DeepSearch mode, if enabled).
  • 2. It compiles a list of articles with links and summaries.
  • 3. It uses the write_file tool to create AI_News_May_2025.txt in your Downloads folder.

Sample Output File

AI News - May 2025

1. NotebookLM by Google
   - Link: https://example.com/notebooklm
   - Description: Google released an updated NotebookLM with enhanced AI capabilities for research and note-taking.

2. Veo by xAI
   - Link: https://example.com/veo
   - Description: xAI's Veo video generator now supports real-time video creation with improved quality.

3. Alpha Evolve by Google
   - Link: https://example.com/alpha-evolve
   - Description: Google’s new AI subscription model, Alpha Evolve, offers advanced features for developers.
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You’ll see _AI_News_May_2025.txt _pop up in your Downloads folder, ready to use.

Tips and Best Practices

  • Use Dry Run for Edits: When using the edit_file tool, enable dryRun: true to preview changes before applying them.
  • Sandbox Directories: Only grant Claude access to specific folders (e.g., Downloads) to avoid accidental changes to critical files.
  • Check Permissions: If Claude prompts for access, select “Allow Always” for seamless operation, but be cautious with sensitive directories.

Explore Other MCP Servers: The File System MCP is just one option. Check out servers for Amazon S3, Gmail, or Stripe for more integrations.

Troubleshooting

  • MCP Server Disconnected: Ensure your claude_desktop_config.json paths are correct and Node.js is installed.
  • Permission Errors: Check if Claude has access to the specified directory. On Windows, run Claude Desktop as an administrator if needed.
  • Node.js Not Found: Verify Node.js installation with node --version. Reinstall if necessary.

Conclusion

The Claude File System MCP is a powerful tool for automating file management with AI. Whether you’re organizing your Downloads folder, creating summary files, or integrating with other services, MCP makes it incredibly easy. Plus, it’s free and open-source, so you can experiment and build your own integrations.

Want to dive deeper? Check out my ChatGPT & AI Master Course (link in description) for advanced AI automation techniques, including how to build SaaS businesses with AI. I’ve covered everything from prompt engineering to social media automation—perfect for taking your skills to the next level.

Try out the Claude File System MCP today, and let me know in the comments how it’s working for you! Happy automating!

References:
Model Context Protocol Servers
Introducing the MCP

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