Everything Search MCP
A fast file search MCP server: Everything SDK on Windows, Spotlight on macOS and locate on Linux behind one search tool.
- 369 ★ on the repository
- Last commit
- MIT
Extended access
Why this level
- The agent sees file names and paths across the whole system, not only the project.
Install
- Works in
In your terminal, with SkillFoxx CLI
npx skillfoxx add mcp/everything-search-mcpDetects the agents on your machine, shows the access level and pins the version.
Other ways to install
Access and checks
How we reviewExtended accessThe tool runs code or makes network calls and only reads external data.
- The agent sees file names and paths across the whole system, not only the project.
This is third-party code. Review the repository files before installing.
What it does
The server gives an agent one `search` tool for finding files and folders across the system. Underneath it uses the native platform mechanism: the Everything SDK on Windows with its full query syntax, Spotlight (`mdfind`) on macOS and `locate` or `plocate` on Linux. The agent sees only its own platform parameters in the tool schema. Arguments split into a shared `base` object with `query` and `max_results` (default 100, from 1 to 1000) and a platform object: on Windows sorting and regex modes, on macOS a search directory and a literal Spotlight query, on Linux case, regex and count options. Each result has path, name, size and creation, modification and access dates. A failure returns a result with `isError: true` when a search runs longer than 30 seconds or Everything is not running.
Who it is for. People working in Claude Desktop or Cursor who want an agent to find files on disk instantly instead of walking directories recursively.
Good fit when
- The agent searches by name for `*.py` files over a megabyte and sorts by size.
- On macOS the search is limited to a repository directory with `search_directory`.
- On Linux the number of matches is counted with `count_only` without printing paths.
- Files modified today are found on Windows with the query `ext:py datemodified:today`.
Not a fit when
- Content search inside files is needed on Windows: Everything searches names and metadata.
- The system has no `locate` database or Everything service: the server fails without them.
- Search must see just-created files on Linux: the `locate` database updates on a schedule.
Example request
Find all `*.py` files on disk modified today, show paths and sizes, at most fifty results.MCP
- Transport
- stdio
- Authentication
- not required
Environment variables
EVERYTHING_SDK_PATH- Windows only, required there: full path to Everything64.dll from the Everything SDK
Limitations
The server relies on platform tools. Windows needs the Everything service running and the `Everything64.dll` file from the SDK, with its path set in `EVERYTHING_SDK_PATH`. Linux needs an installed `locate` or `plocate` database refreshed with `updatedb`. macOS needs no extra setup. A search longer than 30 seconds is aborted with an error and `mdfind -live` is not supported. Spotlight queries in literal and interpret modes cannot start with a hyphen. The agent receives paths of all found files, so limit `max_results`.
How to disable. Remove the `everything-search` entry from the client settings. The Everything service, the `locate` database and Spotlight keep working independently.
FAQ
How do I install it?
With `uvx mcp-server-everything-search@latest` or `pip install -U mcp-server-everything-search`, run as `python -m mcp_server_everything_search`.
What is needed on Windows?
The Everything utility with its service running and `Everything64.dll` from the Everything SDK, with the file path set in `EVERYTHING_SDK_PATH`.
What is needed on Linux?
The `plocate` or `mlocate` package and an updated database: `sudo updatedb`.
What does a result contain?
Full path, name, size in bytes and creation, modification and access dates, or `N/A` when unavailable.
What if a search fails?
The result starts with `Search failed:`: the cause is invalid arguments, Everything not running or a search over 30 seconds.
Discussion
No questions or reviews yet.
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README in short
The README covers the single tool, per-platform arguments, requirements for Windows, Linux and macOS and two installation ways. Query syntax is in a separate file.