# Chatgpt Custom Mcp For Local Files

> Custom MCP server for reading local files using Cloudflare Tunnel. Point ChatGPT to a dedicated folder on your machine - the model reads complete files on demand. No RAG pre-processing, no partial reads, no uploads. Direct file access through secure OAuth 2.0.

- **Type:** MCP server
- **Install:** `agentstack add mcp-adamgivon-chatgpt-custom-mcp-for-local-files`
- **Verified:** Yes — security-reviewed for prompt injection and unsafe behavior
- **Seller:** [adamgivon](https://agentstack.voostack.com/s/adamgivon)
- **Installs:** 0
- **Category:** [Cloud & Infrastructure](https://agentstack.voostack.com/c/cloud-infrastructure)
- **Latest version:** 0.1.0
- **License:** MIT
- **Upstream author:** [adamgivon](https://github.com/adamgivon)
- **Source:** https://github.com/adamgivon/chatgpt-custom-mcp-for-local-files

## Install

```sh
agentstack add mcp-adamgivon-chatgpt-custom-mcp-for-local-files
```

Requires the [AgentStack CLI](https://agentstack.voostack.com/docs/cli). Works with Claude Code, Cursor, and any MCP-compatible agent.

## About

# ChatGPT Custom MCP for Local Files

Custom MCP server for reading local files using Cloudflare Tunnel. Point ChatGPT (chatgpt.com, not api) to a dedicated folder on your machine - the model reads complete files on demand. No RAG preprocessing, no partial reads, no uploads. Direct file access through secure OAuth 2.0.

To be clear, file contents are transmitted to OpenAI servers for processing during conversations. They are not permanently stored in ChatGPT Projects, but are subject to OpenAI's standard conversation data retention policies. This approach differs from manual uploads in that files are fetched on-demand rather than pre-uploaded.

---

## Features

- Secure OAuth 2.0 authentication with dynamic client registration (RFC 7591)
- Cloudflare Tunnel for secure remote access without port forwarding
- Complete file access - ChatGPT reads entire files, not chunks
- Smart file discovery - Search by name, list directories, read on demand
- Persistent sessions - Registered clients survive server restarts
- systemd integration - Start/stop with system services
- Desktop launchers - GUI shortcuts for easy control (Linux)

---

## Why This Over RAG?

**Traditional RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation):**

Requires preprocessing and embedding generation. Returns partial/chunked content. Adds latency and complexity. Limited context about file structure.

**This MCP Server:**

Direct file system access. Reads complete files on demand. ChatGPT can explore your directory structure. Lower latency for small files. No preprocessing needed.

---

## Prerequisites

- OS: Linux (tested on Ubuntu/Kubuntu), macOS, or Windows with WSL
- Python: 3.8 or higher
- Cloudflare Account: Free tier works
- Domain: Any domain managed by Cloudflare
- ChatGPT: Plus or Pro account (for MCP support)

---

## Quick Start

### 1. Clone Repository

```bash
git clone https://github.com/YOUR_USERNAME/chatgpt-custom-mcp-for-local-files.git
cd chatgpt-custom-mcp-for-local-files
```

### 2. Install Dependencies

```bash
python3 -m venv venv
source venv/bin/activate
pip install -r requirements.txt
```

On Windows use: `venv\Scripts\activate`

### 3. Configure Environment

```bash
cp .env.example .env
nano .env
```

Edit these required variables:

```
BASE_DIR=/path/to/your/files
OAUTH_CLIENT_ID=chatgpt-mcp-default
OAUTH_CLIENT_SECRET=your-secure-random-string
```

Generate a secure secret:

```bash
openssl rand -hex 32
```

### 4. Set Up Cloudflare Tunnel

See detailed setup guide in `docs/SETUP.md`

Basic steps:

```bash
# Install cloudflared
curl -L https://github.com/cloudflare/cloudflared/releases/latest/download/cloudflared-linux-amd64.deb -o cloudflared.deb
sudo dpkg -i cloudflared.deb

# Create tunnel
cloudflared tunnel create mcp-files

# Configure DNS in Cloudflare dashboard
# Add CNAME: mcp.yourdomain.com -> TUNNEL_ID.cfargotunnel.com

# Start tunnel
cloudflared tunnel run mcp-files
```

### 5. Start MCP Server

```bash
python server_mcp.py
```

Server runs on `http://localhost:4000`

### 6. Connect ChatGPT

Go to ChatGPT → Settings → Apps and Connectors → Developer Mode → Enable

Then: Enabled Connectors → Create

Fill in:

```
Name: Local Files
URL: https://mcp.yourdomain.com
OAuth: Yes
```

ChatGPT will auto-register and authenticate.

---

## Architecture

Simple request flow:

```
ChatGPT -> Cloudflare Tunnel (mcp.yourdomain.com) -> MCP Server (localhost:4000) -> Your Files
```

OAuth flow:

```
ChatGPT registers -> Gets client_id and client_secret -> Requests access token -> Uses token for API calls
```

---

## Available Tools

ChatGPT can use these MCP tools:

**list_files** - List all files in directory

Example: "Show me all Python files"

**read_file** - Read complete file content

Example: "Read the README.md"

**search** - Search files by name

Example: "Find files containing 'config'"

**fetch** - Get file by path

Example: "Fetch src/main.py"

---

## Security Considerations

What protects you:

- OAuth 2.0 prevents unauthorized access
- Files never leave your machine (served on-demand)
- Cloudflare Tunnel encrypts all traffic
- No credentials stored in ChatGPT

What you should do:

- Only expose folders you want ChatGPT to access
- Review BASE_DIR carefully before starting
- Use strong OAuth credentials
- Keep your tunnel credentials secure

See `docs/SECURITY.md` for detailed guidelines.

---

## Troubleshooting

**ChatGPT shows "424 Failed Dependency"**

Check server logs for actual error. Verify OAuth token is valid. Ensure MCP response format is correct.

**Tunnel connection fails**

Verify DNS records point to tunnel. Check tunnel is running with `cloudflared tunnel info`. Review tunnel logs.

**Server won't start**

Check port 4000 is available with `lsof -i :4000`. Verify Python dependencies installed. Check .env file exists with correct values.

See `docs/TROUBLESHOOTING.md` for complete guide.

---

## systemd Setup (Linux)

For automatic startup and management:

```bash
# Copy service files
cp setup/systemd/*.service ~/.config/systemd/user/

# Edit paths in service files
nano ~/.config/systemd/user/mcp-server.service

# Enable and start
systemctl --user daemon-reload
systemctl --user enable mcp-server mcp-tunnel
systemctl --user start mcp-server mcp-tunnel

# Check status
systemctl --user status mcp-server
```

---

## Desktop Launchers (Linux)

```bash
# Copy desktop files
cp setup/desktop/*.desktop ~/.local/share/applications/

# Update desktop database
update-desktop-database ~/.local/share/applications/
```

Now "Start MCP Server" appears in your app menu.

---

## Project Structure

```
.
├── server_mcp.py              Main MCP server
├── requirements.txt           Python dependencies
├── .env.example              Environment template
├── setup/
│   ├── tunnel-config.yml.example
│   └── systemd/
│       ├── mcp-server.service
│       └── mcp-tunnel.service
└── docs/
    ├── SETUP.md              Detailed setup guide
    ├── TROUBLESHOOTING.md    Common issues
    └── SECURITY.md           Security best practices
```

---

## Contributing

Feel free to fork and modify for your own use. Pull requests are welcome but may not be reviewed or merged in a timely manner. No guarantees of acceptance.
---

## License

MIT License - see LICENSE file for details.

---

## Acknowledgments

Built following the MCP Protocol Specification at https://modelcontextprotocol.io/

Uses Cloudflare Tunnel for secure access: https://developers.cloudflare.com/cloudflare-one/connections/connect-networks/

Implements RFC 7591 for dynamic client registration: https://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc7591

---

## Support

Documentation: See `docs/SETUP.md`

Given as-is. No support provided.

---

**Note:** This is an independent project and is not officially affiliated with OpenAI or Anthropic.

## Source & license

This open-source MCP server is cataloged on AgentStack and links to its original source — we do not rehost the code.

- **Author:** [adamgivon](https://github.com/adamgivon)
- **Source:** [adamgivon/chatgpt-custom-mcp-for-local-files](https://github.com/adamgivon/chatgpt-custom-mcp-for-local-files)
- **License:** MIT

Install and usage instructions live in the source repository linked above.

## Pricing

- **Free** — Free

## Security capabilities

Automated source analysis of v0.1.0 — what this tool can access:

- **Network access:** yes
- **Filesystem access:** no
- **Shell / process execution:** no
- **Environment & secrets:** yes
- **Dynamic code execution:** no

*"Yes" means the capability is present in the source — more access means more to trust, not that it is unsafe.*


## Versions

- **0.1.0** — security scan: passed — Imported from the upstream source.

## Links

- Listing page: https://agentstack.voostack.com/l/mcp-adamgivon-chatgpt-custom-mcp-for-local-files
- Seller: https://agentstack.voostack.com/s/adamgivon
- Browse the marketplace: https://agentstack.voostack.com/browse

---
Listed on AgentStack — the marketplace for AI agent skills and MCP servers. Every listing is security-reviewed. Creators keep 70%.