# fs_search

Searches for files and folders by name (case-insensitive, partial match) starting from a root directory. Defaults to the home directory. Returns matching items with path, type, and size.

Agent View of the PolicyLayer registry record for `fs_search`. HTML page: https://policylayer.com/tools/com-local-mcp-local-mcp/fs-search

## Facts

- Tool: `fs_search`
- Server: Local (`local-mcp`) — https://policylayer.com/tools/com-local-mcp-local-mcp.md
- Install: `npx -y local-mcp`
- Homepage: https://github.com/lanchuske/local-mcp
- Risk category: Read (Low risk)
- Registry record: grade F, identity unverified
- Server auth posture: open
- Server CORS policy: *
- Server rate-limited: no
- Parameters: 4 (1 required)
- Recommended policy verdict: Allowed

## Parameters

| Parameter | Type | Required | Description |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `root` | string | no | Root directory to search from. Defaults to home directory (~). |
| `query` | string | yes | Filename pattern to search for (partial, case-insensitive) |
| `file_type` | string | no | Filter by extension, e.g. 'pdf', 'docx', 'xlsx'. Omit for all types. |
| `max_results` | integer | no | Maximum number of results to return. Default 50, max 200. |

Parameters from the server's own tool schema.

## Example call (MCP tools/call, JSON-RPC 2.0)

```json
{
  "jsonrpc": "2.0",
  "id": 1,
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "name": "fs_search",
    "arguments": {
      "query": "<query>"
    }
  }
}
```

## Why fs_search is rated Low

fs_search performs a filesystem search operation that retrieves and lists file/folder metadata without side effects. It matches the 'Read' category pattern (search, list, fetch). Although it provides local filesystem access, the search-only nature limits immediate blast radius. Severity is low because the tool cannot modify, delete, or execute anything—only discover files.

From the tool's own definition: "Tool 'searches for files and folders by name' and 'returns matching items with path, type, and size' — read-only query with no modification or deletion."

Risk signals: Admin/system-level operation

## Use case

AI agents call fs_search to retrieve information from Local without modifying anything. It is typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.

## Recommended policy (PolicyLayer)

Verdict: **Allowed**. Enforced by the PolicyLayer MCP gateway (https://policylayer.com/mcp-gateway) before a call reaches Local:

```json
{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "fs_search": {}
  }
}
```

## Other tools on Local (233)

- `delete_calendar_event` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/com-local-mcp-local-mcp/delete-calendar-event.md
- `delete_reminder` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/com-local-mcp-local-mcp/delete-reminder.md
- `delete_reminder_list` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/com-local-mcp-local-mcp/delete-reminder-list.md
- `m365_delete_event` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/com-local-mcp-local-mcp/m365-delete-event.md
- `onedrive_delete_file` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/com-local-mcp-local-mcp/onedrive-delete-file.md
- `recipe_delete` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/com-local-mcp-local-mcp/recipe-delete.md
- `chrome_click` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/com-local-mcp-local-mcp/chrome-click.md
- `chrome_evaluate_js` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/com-local-mcp-local-mcp/chrome-evaluate-js.md
- `chrome_fill_form` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/com-local-mcp-local-mcp/chrome-fill-form.md
- `chrome_go_back` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/com-local-mcp-local-mcp/chrome-go-back.md
- `chrome_navigate` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/com-local-mcp-local-mcp/chrome-navigate.md
- `chrome_type` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/com-local-mcp-local-mcp/chrome-type.md
- `chrome_wait_for` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/com-local-mcp-local-mcp/chrome-wait-for.md
- `nordvpn_diagnose` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/com-local-mcp-local-mcp/nordvpn-diagnose.md
- `notion_open_page` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/com-local-mcp-local-mcp/notion-open-page.md
- `recipe_run` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/com-local-mcp-local-mcp/recipe-run.md
- `run_diagnostics` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/com-local-mcp-local-mcp/run-diagnostics.md
- `run_terminal_command` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/com-local-mcp-local-mcp/run-terminal-command.md
- `safari_click` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/com-local-mcp-local-mcp/safari-click.md
- `safari_evaluate_js` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/com-local-mcp-local-mcp/safari-evaluate-js.md
- `safari_fill_form` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/com-local-mcp-local-mcp/safari-fill-form.md
- `safari_go_back` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/com-local-mcp-local-mcp/safari-go-back.md
- `safari_navigate` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/com-local-mcp-local-mcp/safari-navigate.md
- `safari_query_selector_all` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/com-local-mcp-local-mcp/safari-query-selector-all.md
- `safari_type` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/com-local-mcp-local-mcp/safari-type.md
- `safari_wait_for` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/com-local-mcp-local-mcp/safari-wait-for.md
- `screen_record_start` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/com-local-mcp-local-mcp/screen-record-start.md
- `screen_record_stop` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/com-local-mcp-local-mcp/screen-record-stop.md
- `setup_install` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/com-local-mcp-local-mcp/setup-install.md
- `ui_click` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/com-local-mcp-local-mcp/ui-click.md
- …and 203 more: https://policylayer.com/tools/com-local-mcp-local-mcp.md

## For agents

This record is a snapshot. Live verdicts and the full registry:

- Check every server in your MCP config at once: `npx -y policylayer stack`
- Vet a server before you add it: install the mcp-precheck skill — `npx skills add https://policylayer.com` (skill text: https://policylayer.com/skill.md)
- Query the registry over MCP: endpoint `https://api.policylayer.com/mcp` — tools `check_mcp_server`, `check_mcp_stack`, `check_tool`, `search_registry`, `get_change_events`

---

Source: the PolicyLayer MCP registry — one continuously verified record per MCP server. Full record: https://policylayer.com/registry?q=com-local-mcp-local-mcp · API: https://policylayer.com/registry/api · Policy library: https://policylayer.com/policies/com-local-mcp-local-mcp