How to add Everything Search MCP Server to Windsurf
Fast cross-platform file search via Everything SDK (Windows), mdfind (macOS), and locate (Linux). Paste the config into ~/.codeium/windsurf/mcp_config.json and restart Windsurf.
Last updated June 14, 2026 · 336★ · stdio · no auth
Windsurf config for Everything Search MCP Server
pip install mcp-server-everything-search{
"mcpServers": {
"everything-search-mcp-server": {
"command": "uvx",
"args": [
"mcp-server-everything-search"
],
"env": {
"EVERYTHING_SDK_PATH": "path/to/Everything-SDK/dll/Everything64.dll"
}
}
}
}Requires `uv` (the Python package runner). Install it from https://docs.astral.sh/uv/ if `uvx` is not found.
Setup steps
- 1Open Windsurf → Cascade → the hammer/MCP icon → Configure (or edit ~/.codeium/windsurf/mcp_config.json).
- 2Paste the Everything Search MCP Server config below.
- 3Fill in placeholder secrets, then save.
- 4Click Refresh in the MCP panel.
- 5Everything Search MCP Server's tools become available to Cascade.
Before you start
- Windows: install the Everything search utility (voidtools) and ensure its service is running
- Windows: download the Everything SDK and set EVERYTHING_SDK_PATH to Everything64.dll
- Linux: install locate or plocate (e.g. sudo apt-get install plocate) and run sudo updatedb
- macOS: no additional setup (uses built-in mdfind)
- uv/uvx (recommended) or Python with pip to run the server
What Everything Search MCP Server can do in Windsurf
searchSearch for files and folders across the system. Parameters: query (required, platform-specific syntax), max_results (optional, default 100, max 1000), match_path (optional, default false), match_case (optional, default false), match_whole_word (optional, default false), match_regex (optional, default false), and sort_by (optional, default 1; options 1-8 and 11-14 sort by filename, path, size, extension, creation date, or modification date). Returns each result's path, file size in bytes, and last modified date. Full Everything SDK features on Windows; basic filename/content search on macOS (Spotlight) and basic filename search on Linux (locate).
Security
On Windows the Everything service must be running and the Everything SDK DLL must be available; set the EVERYTHING_SDK_PATH environment variable to the Everything64.dll path. On Linux the locate/plocate database must be initialized (sudo updatedb). The server exposes local filesystem search results (paths, sizes, modification dates) to the MCP client.
Everything Search MCP Server + Windsurf FAQ
Where is the Windsurf config file?
Windsurf reads MCP servers from ~/.codeium/windsurf/mcp_config.json. Paste the Everything Search MCP Server config there under the "mcpServers" key and restart the client.
Is Everything Search MCP Server safe to use with Windsurf?
On Windows the Everything service must be running and the Everything SDK DLL must be available; set the EVERYTHING_SDK_PATH environment variable to the Everything64.dll path. On Linux the locate/plocate database must be initialized (sudo updatedb). The server exposes local filesystem search results (paths, sizes, modification dates) to the MCP client.
Does it work the same on all platforms?
No. Windows uses the Everything SDK and supports the full search syntax (regex, sorting, advanced operators). macOS uses mdfind/Spotlight for basic filename and content search, and Linux uses locate/plocate for basic filename search. See SEARCH_SYNTAX.md for per-platform details.
What do I need on Windows?
Install the Everything utility from voidtools and make sure its service is running, then download the Everything SDK and point the EVERYTHING_SDK_PATH environment variable at Everything64.dll.
Is this an official voidtools project?
No. The project is independent and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by voidtools; it simply uses the publicly available Everything SDK.