What is an MCP server?

The Model Context Protocol is an open standard that lets AI apps call tools on your computer. An MCP server exposes those tools; here, read-only file search and disk usage.

Can the AI app delete or move my files?

No. Every tool is read-only. The AI app can show a file in the app, and that’s the limit.

Which apps work with it?

Claude Code, Claude Desktop, Cursor and any app that supports MCP servers over standard input and output.

Does Peekaboo send my files to Anthropic or OpenAI?

Peekaboo itself sends nothing. It answers the AI app running on your Mac; that app then decides what to send to its model.

Peekaboo · AI apps (MCP)

Let Claude and other AI apps search your Mac, read-only

AI apps are good at finding things if they can see them. Peekaboo’s MCP server lets them search your files the way the app does, see what’s using space, and show results in Peekaboo, without the power to open, move or delete anything.

Download free trial14 days free · macOS 14+ · Updated November 7, 2026

What it does

Search like the app: Plain-English and token search over Spotlight’s index, the same results you get in the window, returned as structured data the AI app can reason about.
Disk usage and cleanup, read-only: What’s using space and what Clean Up would free, so “why is my disk full?” gets a real answer. Nothing is moved; the person still decides in the app.
Secrets left out: Files that hold keys, tokens or passwords are never listed, and reveal links to them are refused.
Two clicks to set up: Settings › Advanced › Use with AI apps copies the command for Claude Code or the JSON configuration for Claude Desktop, Cursor and any other MCP client.

How to use it

1Open Settings › Advanced › Use with AI apps.⌘,
2Copy the command into Terminal for Claude Code, or the configuration into your AI app’s MCP settings.
3Ask the AI app to find a file or explain what fills your disk.

When another app fits better

Results go to the AI app you connect, and what it does with them, including sending them to its own servers, is up to that app. If nothing about your files should leave the Mac, use Peekaboo’s own [Assistant](/ai-file-assistant-mac/), which runs on Apple’s on-device model, or the plain-English search.

Questions

What is an MCP server?: The Model Context Protocol is an open standard that lets AI apps call tools on your computer. An MCP server exposes those tools; here, read-only file search and disk usage.
Can the AI app delete or move my files?: No. Every tool is read-only. The AI app can show a file in the app, and that’s the limit.
Which apps work with it?: Claude Code, Claude Desktop, Cursor and any app that supports MCP servers over standard input and output.
Does Peekaboo send my files to Anthropic or OpenAI?: Peekaboo itself sends nothing. It answers the AI app running on your Mac; that app then decides what to send to its model.