Everything Search MCP Server: File Retrieval through Model Context Protocol

Overview: What is Everything Search MCP Server?

The Everything Search MCP Server acts as an adapter, bridging powerful file search capabilities with AI applications and other tools that support the Model Context Protocol (MCP). This server provides a standardized interface for integrating advanced search functionalities, making it easier to develop and deploy applications leveraging Everything Search without needing direct interaction with its underlying API.

🔧 Core Features & MCP Capabilities

The Everything Search MCP Server harnesses the full text search capabilities of the Everything Search Engine while exposing these features via MCP. The server supports a wide range of query parameters and filters, enabling AI applications to conduct precise searches tailored to specific use cases.

Advanced Search Options

Case Sensitivity: Users can perform case-sensitive searches.
Whole Word Matching: Searches can be configured to match entire words only.
Regular Expressions: Complex queries using regular expressions are supported.
Path Specification: Searches can be narrowed down by specific paths.

Sorting and Result Formatting

Sorting Options: Results can be sorted based on name, path, size, or date modified.
Result Presentation: File sizes and dates are presented in human-readable formats for better readability.

⚙️ MCP Architecture & Protocol Implementation

The Everything Search MCP Server is built to adhere strictly to the Model Context Protocol (MCP), ensuring seamless integration with various AI applications that support this standard. The protocol ensures a consistent command structure, allowing AI clients to issue search commands in a uniform manner.

MCP Protocol Flow

graph TD
    A[AI Application] -->|MCP Client| B[MCP Protocol]
    B --> C[MCP Server]
    C --> D[Data Source/Tool]
    style A fill:#e1f5fe
    style C fill:#f3e5f5
    style D fill:#e8f5e8

The flow diagram illustrates how an AI application interacts with the MCP server, executing searches and receiving results from Everything Search Engine.

🚀 Getting Started with Installation

To start using the Everything Search MCP Server, ensure you have the necessary prerequisites met:

Prerequisites

Node.js 16 or Higher: Install the latest version of Node.js to run the server.
Everything Search Engine: Enable the HTTP Server in the Everything Search Engine and set the port to 8011.

Everything Search Configuration

Open the Everything Search configuration window via Tools > Options.
Navigate to the HTTP Server tab.
Ensure that the HTTP Server is enabled.
Set the port number to 8011 (or adjust as needed).
Click OK to apply changes.

💡 Key Use Cases in AI Workflows

Real-world Scenarios

Scenario 1: Document Retrieval for Legal Review

Legal professionals can use this MCP server to rapidly retrieve relevant documents from a large database of contracts and legal briefs. Advanced search filters, such as whole word matching and date range queries, ensure quick and accurate outcomes.

{
  "query": "contract * 2023",
  "scope": "\\Legal\\Contracts\\Q3 2023",
  "wholeWord": true,
  "maxResults": 50,
  "sortBy": "date_modified",
  "ascending": false
}

Scenario 2: Developer Workflow Enhancement

Developers can leverage the server to quickly find code snippets, configuration files, and other assets within a codebase. The ability to search using regular expressions simplifies complex queries.

{
  "query": "\\.env$",
  "regex": true,
  "scope": "\\Projects\\Backend\\Configurations",
  "maxResults": 10,
  "sortBy": "size"
}

🔌 Integration with MCP Clients

The Everything Search MCP Server is compatible with popular AI applications such as:

MCP Client	Resources	Tools	Prompts	Status
Claude Desktop	✅	✅	✅	Full Support
Continue	✅	✅	✅	Full Support
Cursor	❌	✅	❌	Tools Only

📊 Performance & Compatibility Matrix

The server is optimized for performance, supporting up to 100 results in a single query. It also ensures compatibility with various data sources and tools supported by the Everything Search Engine.

MCP Configuration Sample

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "everything-search": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@modelcontextprotocol/server-everythingsearch"],
      "env": {
        "API_KEY": "your-api-key"
      }
    }
  }
}

🛠️ Advanced Configuration & Security

Mermaid Diagram: Data Architecture

graph TD
    A[Server] --> B[Everything Search Engine]
    C[AI Application] -->|MCP Client| D[MCP Server]
    E[MCP Request] --> F[Benchmark & Validation Layer]
    G[Fetched Results] --> H[Data Source Filter]
    I[Human-Readable Formatting] --> J[Response Generation]
    style A fill:#f3e5f5
    style C fill:#e1f5fe
    style D fill:#e8f5e8

This architecture diagram outlines the flow of data from the AI application through the MCP client to the Everything Search Engine and back, emphasizing the validation and formatting processes.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: How do I enable the HTTP Server in Everything Search?

A: Go to Tools > Options > HTTP Server, enable it, and set the port to 8011.

Q: Can I use a different port for the HTTP Server?

A: Yes, you can modify the src/server.ts file where it connects to http://127.0.0.1:8011/.

Q: How does sorting work in search queries?

A: The server supports sorting by name, path, size, or date modified with options for ascending and descending.

Q: Can I use regular expressions in my searches?

A: Yes, regular expression support is available for advanced text patterns.

Q: What happens if there are no results for a search query?

A: The server will return an empty result set with a success status; no errors will be thrown unless the query itself is malformed.

👨‍💻 Development & Contribution Guidelines

Contributions to the Everything Search MCP Server are welcome. To contribute, fork the repository and submit pull requests adhering to our coding standards. Detailed guidelines can be found in the CONTRIBUTING.md file included with the project.

🌐 MCP Ecosystem & Resources

For more information on Model Context Protocol (MCP) and other resources, visit the MCP documentation at https://modelcontextprotocol.org/. Join the community forum for discussions and support: https://forum.modelcontextprotocol.org/.

This comprehensive documentation aims to provide a clear understanding of how the Everything Search MCP Server enhances AI application workflows through advanced search integration. By leveraging this server, developers can build applications that benefit from powerful file searching capabilities without extensive configuration or coding.

Everything Search MCP Server