Kobel
ClaimedControl AI access to your files with granular permissions
Free plan available Visit WebsiteTracked since 2026
Verified vendor The Bottom Line
- Best for
- Individuals and small teams who use AI assistants on local files and need per-file control, not one shared folder path
- Price
- Free plan available. Compare plans
Key facts
- Offers a free tier; Pro is a one-time purchase or a monthly subscription
- Five permission levels set per file; blocked files are not visible
- Runs locally on Windows and macOS, no cloud component; every tool call is
Not for
Linux users, and anyone who needs an open-source implementation they can audit themselves
What is Kobel?
Kobel runs a local MCP server between an AI assistant and your files. Every file carries one of five permission levels: edit, edit with backup, edit a copy, read only, or blocked. Levels apply per file; a folder passes its level to anything added later. Blocked files never reach the tool layer - they are absent from listings, not filtered from the answer. Every call is logged locally. Works with leading AI assistants and other MCP clients. Windows and macOS.
Available on: Desktop
Data compiled by Toolradar Pricing checked · How we evaluate
Source kobel.app Preview
Key Features
- Five permission levels per file: edit, edit with backup, edit a copy, read
- Local activity log of every tool call with timestamp, assistant, tool
- Proxies third-party MCP servers and OAuth-connected accounts behind the same
- Team policy published over a URL or UNC path and applied centrally to client
Pricing
Freemium
Kobel offers a generous free tier with optional paid upgrades for advanced features.
Kobel by the numbers
| Metric | Kobel | Peer median | Position (1 is best) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | 50% have one | n/a |
| Integrations listed | 2 | 2 | #27 of 90 (joint) tools with at least one integration recorded |
| Compare-page visits, last 30 days | 25 visits | 35 | #134 of 191 (joint) tools with 20+ compare-page visits |
Each position is counted among the tools that have data for that row, as noted under it. All Security data · How we compute this. Advertising and placement fees are not inputs to any position. Visit counts include visits from every source.
Cite this: Toolradar, “Kobel by the numbers”, Oct 2026.
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Kobel FAQ
How does Kobel control what an AI assistant can do with my files?
Kobel runs a local MCP server between your AI assistant and your files, assigning one of five permission levels to every file: edit, edit with backup, edit a copy, read only, or blocked. These levels apply per file, and a folder passes its level to anything added later. Blocked files never reach the tool layer, meaning they are absent from listings entirely, not just filtered from answers. Every call is logged locally for auditability.
How does Kobel compare to HashiCorp Vault for managing AI access to files?
Kobel focuses specifically on controlling AI assistant access to your local files through an MCP server, while HashiCorp Vault is a broader secrets management and encryption tool. Kobel applies granular per-file permissions like edit, read only, or blocked directly to the AI's tool layer, whereas Vault handles credentials and tokens but does not inherently mediate file access for AI assistants. If your need is strictly about file-level permissions for AI, Kobel is purpose-built for that; Vault would require additional setup to achieve similar file control.
What are the main limitations or trade-offs of using Kobel?
Kobel does not support Linux users, and it is not open-source, so anyone who needs to audit the implementation themselves cannot do so. This means teams relying on Linux environments or requiring full code transparency for compliance or security review would need to look elsewhere. For Windows and macOS users who prioritize local, auditable logs over open-source code, these trade-offs are acceptable.
Which teams or users benefit most from Kobel's permission model?
Teams that work with sensitive local files and use AI assistants, such as security-conscious developers, data analysts, or legal departments handling confidential documents, benefit most. The per-file permission levels let you grant edit access to some files while blocking others entirely, ensuring the AI never even sees blocked content. It is especially useful for individuals or small teams on Windows or macOS who want a lightweight, free way to enforce file access boundaries without complex infrastructure.
How is Kobel priced?
Kobel is free to use, with no paid plan required. There is no cost to access its core functionality, which includes the local MCP server, five permission levels, and local logging. This makes it accessible for individual developers and small teams who want granular AI file control without a budget commitment.
Can Kobel work with any AI assistant that supports MCP clients?
Yes, Kobel works with leading AI assistants and other MCP clients, as it runs a local MCP server that those clients can connect to. This means if your AI assistant or tool supports the Model Context Protocol, you can integrate Kobel to enforce file permissions. The local server ensures all calls are logged locally, and file access is mediated before reaching the AI.
How does Kobel handle files added to a folder after permissions are set?
When a folder has a permission level, any file added to that folder later automatically inherits that level. This ensures consistent enforcement without needing to manually set permissions on each new file. For example, if a folder is set to 'read only', any new file placed there will also be read only, preventing accidental edits. Blocked folders will cause new files to be absent from AI listings as well.
Does Kobel log every interaction an AI has with my files?
Yes, every call made through Kobel's local MCP server is logged locally. This includes attempts to access, edit, or read files, providing a complete audit trail of AI interactions. The logs are stored on your machine, giving you full visibility into what the AI requested and what permission level was applied. This is useful for security reviews and understanding how your AI assistant uses your data.
Source: kobel.app