# Apple Files

This MCP server lets an agent inspect and manage local macOS files inside approved roots. Use it when file access from a coding client needs clear boundaries.

- MCP server · `type=mcp` · Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Windsurf (Devin Desktop), Cline, Zed, Gemini CLI · ★ 31
- Author: JonathanRReed
- License: MIT · policy=link-only · description only; the file stays with the author
- Source: https://github.com/JonathanRReed/Apple-MCPs/tree/HEAD/applefiles-mcp
- Updated: 2026-10-22
- HTML: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/mcp/apple-files

## What it does

Apple Files exposes local file and folder operations to an MCP client. The server limits access with `APPLE_FILES_MCP_ALLOWED_ROOTS`, while `APPLE_FILES_MCP_SAFETY_MODE` controls its safety setting. It runs through `uvx apple-files-mcp` over the default `stdio` transport.

You need macOS, Python 3.11+, and `uv` before starting it. Without macOS and Python 3.11+, the server will not run. macOS can apply extra restrictions even inside an approved root, so the directories passed to the server deserve a careful check.

## Requirements
- Needs: Python and uv (commands run via uvx)
- Environment variables: `APPLE_FILES_MCP_SAFETY_MODE`, `APPLE_FILES_MCP_ALLOWED_ROOTS` — keys and tokens: ask the human for the values, never commit them or put them in shared files.

## Install

### Claude Code (native platform)

**Platform CLI**
```bash
claude mcp add --env APPLE_FILES_MCP_SAFETY_MODE=<APPLE_FILES_MCP_SAFETY_MODE> --env APPLE_FILES_MCP_ALLOWED_ROOTS=<APPLE_FILES_MCP_ALLOWED_ROOTS> --transport stdio applefiles-mcp -- uvx apple-files-mcp
```
Replace <…> with your own values. uvx runs the command named after the package; if the README names another one, use uvx --from apple-files-mcp <command>

### Codex

**Platform CLI**
```bash
codex mcp add applefiles-mcp --env APPLE_FILES_MCP_SAFETY_MODE=<APPLE_FILES_MCP_SAFETY_MODE> --env APPLE_FILES_MCP_ALLOWED_ROOTS=<APPLE_FILES_MCP_ALLOWED_ROOTS> -- uvx apple-files-mcp
```
Replace <…> with your own values. uvx runs the command named after the package; if the README names another one, use uvx --from apple-files-mcp <command>

### Cursor

**Config file**
File `.cursor/mcp.json`:
```json
{
    "mcpServers": {
        "applefiles-mcp": {
            "command": "uvx",
            "args": [
                "apple-files-mcp"
            ],
            "env": {
                "APPLE_FILES_MCP_SAFETY_MODE": "<APPLE_FILES_MCP_SAFETY_MODE>",
                "APPLE_FILES_MCP_ALLOWED_ROOTS": "<APPLE_FILES_MCP_ALLOWED_ROOTS>"
            }
        }
    }
}
```
Replace <…> with your own values. uvx runs the command named after the package; if the README names another one, use uvx --from apple-files-mcp <command>

### GitHub Copilot

**Config file**
File `.vscode/mcp.json`:
```json
{
    "servers": {
        "applefiles-mcp": {
            "type": "stdio",
            "command": "uvx",
            "args": [
                "apple-files-mcp"
            ],
            "env": {
                "APPLE_FILES_MCP_SAFETY_MODE": "<APPLE_FILES_MCP_SAFETY_MODE>",
                "APPLE_FILES_MCP_ALLOWED_ROOTS": "<APPLE_FILES_MCP_ALLOWED_ROOTS>"
            }
        }
    }
}
```
Replace <…> with your own values. uvx runs the command named after the package; if the README names another one, use uvx --from apple-files-mcp <command>

### Gemini CLI

**Platform CLI**
```bash
gemini mcp add -e APPLE_FILES_MCP_SAFETY_MODE=<APPLE_FILES_MCP_SAFETY_MODE> -e APPLE_FILES_MCP_ALLOWED_ROOTS=<APPLE_FILES_MCP_ALLOWED_ROOTS> applefiles-mcp uvx apple-files-mcp
```
Replace <…> with your own values. uvx runs the command named after the package; if the README names another one, use uvx --from apple-files-mcp <command>

## When to use it
- inspect files inside approved macOS folders
- manage local directories from an MCP client
- restrict server access to selected roots
- set a safety mode for file operations

## Example prompts
- List the approved folders and find the project configuration file.
- Check the server with `files_health` before reading any file.
- Create a reports folder inside an approved root and show its contents.

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From the same set: [jonathanrreed/apple-mcps](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/by/jonathanrreed/apple-mcps.md) — 11 cards

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