← Daily AI recipesWork✓ Verified Jul 20, 2026

Connect a Folder to Claude via MCP - Local Storage Without Cloud

Give Claude access to your files in 5 minutes: read, write, work with data - everything stays on your computer

1.Download and install Claude Desktop for your operating system (macOS or Windows) from the official Anthropic website. Then open the app and make sure you have the latest version by going to Claude menu → Check for Updates.
Claude Desktop is an app that runs locally on your computer and doesn't require a subscription. Free for all users.
Claude Desktop ↗
2.Make sure you have Node.js version 16 or higher installed. Open Terminal (Terminal on Mac, cmd on Windows) and run: node --version. If the version doesn't show, download Node.js LTS from nodejs.org.
Node.js is needed to run MCP servers. Version 18+ or LTS is the best choice for stability.
Node.js ↗
3.In Claude Desktop, click the Claude menu (top left) → Settings → Developer → Edit Config. A JSON file called claude_desktop_config.json will open. Copy and paste the configuration there, replacing your username and paths to the folders you want Claude to access.
This is the key step: you tell Claude which folders it can read and edit. Use absolute paths (full paths from the disk root), not relative ones.
Claude Desktop Editor ↗
Prompt
```
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "filesystem": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@modelcontextprotocol/server-filesystem",
        "/Users/[your_username]/Desktop",
        "/Users/[your_username]/Documents"
      ]
    }
  }
}
```
What this prompt doesOn Windows, replace paths with C:\Users\[your_name]\Desktop. Add as many folders as needed. For each folder, add a new line to the args array. Save the file by pressing Cmd+S (Mac) or Ctrl+S (Windows).
4.Close Claude Desktop completely (on Mac: Cmd+Q, on Windows: Alt+F4). Then open the app again. This allows it to read the new configuration and start the MCP server.
It's important to fully close and reopen the app - minimizing it isn't enough. MCP servers only start when the app launches.
5.After restarting Claude Desktop, look at the message input field: you should see a hammer icon or button that says '+ Add Files, Connectors' in the bottom left. Click it, select the Connectors tab, and make sure 'filesystem' appears there. If it doesn't - check the terminal for command execution errors.
A hammer icon or connector button means the MCP server started successfully. If you don't see anything - check that the paths in your config are correct and that Node.js is installed.
6.Now test the connection. Ask Claude something like: 'What files are in my Desktop folder? List all .txt files' or 'Create a file named test.md on my Desktop with the text: [your text]'. Claude should read or modify real files on your computer. Claude will ask for your permission before each action - approve it.
Be careful: Claude can read and change files with your permission. Only use this with folders you're comfortable with. Never connect system folders (like /etc or /System).
Prompt
```
Tell Claude: «What files are in the [your_folder_name] folder?» or «Create a new file named test.txt on Desktop with the text: Hello World». See if it works.
```
What this prompt doesThis is a test query. Replace [your_folder_name] with the real name (for example, Desktop or Documents). If Claude completes the task and asks for permission - everything is working correctly.

💰 What it costs to followprices as of 2026-07

freeClaude Desktop (main chat)Basic access is free; Pro and Team plans add priority, but MCP works on all tiers
freeNode.js (for MCP server)Completely free open-source software, installed once
freeThis entire recipeNo payments required - you use what you already have

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Why today

Anthropic Official Docsweb

GitHub - MCP Serversweb

Security Research - EscapeRoute CVEweb

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