DocFS

DocFS is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that exposes read-only file system tools to MCP clients. It supports multiple root directories, filters paths using .gitignore, and caches file metadata in an in-memory LRU cache for faster access. Requires Node.js 18 or later.

Tools

• dir_tree – view directory structure as a tree

• list_files – list directories and files

• search_files – search text across files

• read_files – read file contents

Related MCP server: mcp-file-lens

Differences from a generic filesystem MCP server

DocFS trades the broader read/write capabilities of a standard filesystem server for a narrower, read-only feature set with extra safety and convenience features:

• Read-only operations only

• Limited to dir_tree, list_files, search_files, and read_files

• Enforces one or more user-specified root directories

• Applies .gitignore rules and caches file metadata using an in-memory LRU cache

Quick Start

Add the server to any MCP-compatible client by including this JSON in its configuration:

JSON:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "docfs": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "docfs", "--root", "/path/to/project"]
    }
  }
}

Claude Code:

claude mcp add docfs -- npx -y docfs --root /path/to/project

Codex CLI:

[mcp_servers.docfs]
command = "npx"
args = ["-y", "docfs", "--root", "/path/to/project"]

Replace /path/to/project with the directory you want to expose. Repeat --root to allow multiple directories.

Development

pnpm install
pnpm format
pnpm lint
pnpm typecheck
pnpm test
pnpm build

Run DocFS on demand with npx:

npx -y docfs --root /path/to/project

License

MIT