BetterMCPFileServer

BetterMCPFileServer – A Privacy‑First, LLM‑Optimized File Access Engine

The BetterMCPFileServer tackles a common pain point for developers building AI‑powered assistants: safely exposing local file systems to large language models without leaking sensitive information. Traditional MCP file servers expose raw absolute paths, which can inadvertently reveal usernames, system directories, or organizational secrets. This server introduces a path aliasing layer that maps complex real‑world paths to clean, logical identifiers. As a result, an assistant can refer to instead of , keeping the underlying directory structure hidden while still providing full access to required files.

At its core, the server offers a lean API tailored for LLM interactions. By reducing the function set from eleven to six, it removes unnecessary complexity while retaining all essential file operations. Function names follow camelCase conventions (, , ), making them immediately understandable to both developers and AI models. Operations that previously required multiple distinct calls—such as moving, copying, or deleting files—are now consolidated into single and functions with an action parameter, simplifying workflow orchestration.

The smart search tool further enhances usability. A single endpoint handles directory listings and complex pattern searches, allowing an assistant to retrieve file lists or locate specific files using glob patterns without needing separate APIs. This unified approach reduces the cognitive load on AI models, enabling more natural conversational commands like “list all files in the alias” or “search for across all aliases.”

Integration into existing AI pipelines is straightforward. Developers start the server with a mapping of aliases to real paths, then configure their MCP client (e.g., Claude) to use the server’s endpoints. Because the aliasing system enforces strict boundaries, developers can expose only the directories they intend to share, eliminating accidental data leaks. The server’s design also anticipates future extensions—such as permission controls or audit logging—without altering the core API, ensuring long‑term maintainability.

In practice, BetterMCPFileServer shines in scenarios where developers need to grant AI assistants read/write access to codebases, configuration files, or documentation while preserving privacy. For example, a continuous‑integration bot can retrieve test results from a alias, or an educational tutor can access student assignments through a alias without exposing the underlying university file system. By combining privacy, simplicity, and LLM‑friendly design, this server empowers developers to build more secure and efficient AI workflows.