List Files & Folders on Your Mac with AI

The file_list tool lets your AI assistant browse the file system on your Mac. It lists the files and folders inside any local directory — returning each item's name, full path, type (file or folder), and size. If you don't name a folder, it defaults to your home directory. A typical prompt looks like: "List everything in my Downloads folder and tell me which files are the biggest." The AI calls file_list, reads the results, and answers in plain language.

LMCP executes local tools on your device. Cloud AI providers and connected services can receive requested data; their terms apply.

Which AI assistants can use file_list?

file_list works with every major MCP-capable assistant:

• Desktop clients — desktop AI apps connect through a local stdio connection, and LMCP sets up the ones it can automatically. LMCP wires itself in and the tool just appears.
• Web AIs — Claude.ai (web), ChatGPT, Grok and Perplexity connect through the LMCP Cloud Relay connector, which securely bridges the web assistant to the server running on your Mac.

Same tool, same local data, whichever assistant you prefer.

Can my AI automate file_list and chain it with other apps?

file_list is the natural first step in many file workflows. Because it returns full paths, the AI can chain it into other LMCP tools without you copy-pasting anything:

• List a folder, then read or summarize a specific document the AI finds.
• Find the largest or oldest files, then move or organize them.
• Locate a spreadsheet or PDF, then open and analyze its contents.
• Walk a project directory and attach files to an email or message.

You describe the goal once; the AI discovers the files with file_list and acts on them with the rest of the 188+ tools.

Does file_list work with my real Mac data?

Because file_list reads your actual local file system, the AI works with your real data — the files that genuinely exist on this Mac, with their true sizes and locations. There's no upload step, no stale snapshot, no "paste the folder contents here." Ask about your Desktop, your Documents, a specific project folder, or an external drive, and the assistant sees exactly what Finder sees.

How much time does file_list save?

Instead of opening Finder, hunting through nested folders, sorting by size, and eyeballing names, you just ask. "What's eating space in my Downloads?" or "Find the latest export in my reports folder" gets answered in seconds. Combined with read and organize tools, file_list turns tedious file triage into a one-line request — saving minutes on every cleanup, audit, or find-the-file task.

Is file_list private and GDPR-compliant?

LMCP executes local tools on your device. Cloud AI providers and connected services can receive requested data; their terms apply. Local execution alone does not establish GDPR or CCPA compliance. Assess the data you authorize, the selected AI provider, connected services and your organizational requirements.

Ready to try it? Download LMCP and start browsing your files with AI.