# Box MCP

> Box MCP connects your AI client directly to the Box cloud content management system. It lets you manage files, folders, permissions, and metadata using natural conversation instead of navigating complex UIs or digging through folder IDs. You can search company-wide for documents, check who has access, or create new structure elements—all hands-free.

## Overview
- **Category:** industry-titans
- **Price:** Free
- **Tags:** file-sharing, content-management, enterprise-security, cloud-collaboration, metadata-management, file-storage

## Description

This MCP gives your agent direct control over your Box enterprise account. Think of it as having a virtual assistant that knows the exact location and details of every document in your organization’s cloud storage.

Instead of manually opening folders, navigating directory trees, or remembering file IDs, you just talk to your AI client. You can ask it to list all documents related to 'Q3 marketing' or check if a specific folder needs restricted access. The agent handles the deep dives, whether that means listing contents inside a shared folder, running full-text searches across years of files, or applying custom metadata tags.

Because this MCP manages everything from user rosters to complex collaboration rules, you get a complete picture of your company's knowledge base without ever leaving your chat window. It makes the huge catalog of content manageable, letting you focus on answering questions instead of finding the right file first.

## Tools

### list_folder_items
Retrieves a detailed listing of every file or folder contained within a specified Box directory.

### get_folder_info
Fetches specific details about an entire folder, such as its total size and creation date.

### create_folder
Allows you to build out your company's structure by generating a brand new folder at the root level or under another existing folder.

### get_file_info
Pulls specific metadata, size, and details for any individual file within Box.

### search_content
Searches through documents and files using keywords, narrowing results by file type or parent folder location.

### get_folder_collaborations
Lists every person or group who has been granted access to a specific folder and what rights they possess.

### list_users
Generates an up-to-date list of all active employee accounts within the Box organization.

## Prompt Examples

**Prompt:** 
```
Search for all contracts expiring in Q2 2026.
```

**Response:** 
```
Found 14 files matching 'contract': 1. 'MSA-ClientAlpha-2024.pdf' (Legal/Contracts, 2.3 MB, metadata: expires=2026-06-30). 2. 'SaaS-License-BetaCorp.docx' (Procurement, 890 KB, expires=2026-04-15). Showing top 5 of 14.
```

**Prompt:** 
```
Who has access to the Board Reports folder?
```

**Response:** 
```
'Board Reports' folder collaborators: 1. CEO Jane Smith (Co-owner). 2. CFO Mike Chen (Editor). 3. Legal Team (Viewer, 5 members). 4. External Auditor Group (Viewer, 2 members, link expires Dec 2026). Total: 10 unique users.
```

**Prompt:** 
```
List the 10 largest files in the Engineering folder.
```

**Response:** 
```
Top 10 files by size in 'Engineering': 1. 'architecture-diagram-v12.fig' (245 MB). 2. 'load-test-results-march.zip' (189 MB). 3. 'database-backup-staging.sql' (156 MB). Total folder size: 2.1 GB across 847 files.
```

## Capabilities

### Audit folder contents
The agent lists all items inside a specific Box folder, providing names, sizes, and dates modified.

### Manage folder structure
You can ask the agent to create new folders within your account or retrieve details about existing ones.

### Search across all files
The system performs a full-text search, filtering results by file type (like PDF or DOCX) and specific metadata tags.

### Check access permissions
You can list who has been given access to a folder and what their current permission level is.

### List company users
The agent pulls an up-to-date roster of all enterprise users within your Box account, including group memberships.

## Use Cases

### Locating a forgotten contract
A lawyer needs an agreement from 2021 regarding 'Client Beta' that was stored in the defunct 'Marketing Assets' folder. They ask their agent to run `search_content` for 'Beta client contract'. The agent finds three matching files, lists them by size and metadata, saving hours of manual searching.

### Onboarding a new team
The department head needs to ensure the new hires have access only to their specific project folders. They use `list_users` to get the employee list, then ask the agent to check permissions on key project areas using `get_folder_collaborations`, ensuring nothing is over-shared.

### Preparing for an audit
The compliance officer must prove that all HR records are stored in a single, restricted area. They ask the agent to run `list_folder_items` on the HR folder and also use `get_file_info` on each item to verify proper metadata tags (e.g., retention policy applied).

### Project cleanup
The project manager realizes two teams are using different folders for the same kind of data. They ask the agent to `get_folder_info` on both areas, comparing total file counts and sizes, which immediately shows them where they need to consolidate.

## Benefits

- Stop clicking through directories. You can use `search_content` to find a document anywhere—even if you only remember a keyword or the general topic—without knowing its exact folder path.
- Audit access instantly. Instead of opening multiple files, you run `get_folder_collaborations` on a folder name and get an immediate list of every user and their precise permissions (viewer, editor, etc.).
- Maintain structure on the fly. Need a new place for Project Phoenix documents? Use `create_folder` to build it instantly while your agent handles all the underlying ID management.
- Quickly understand file scope. The `get_file_info` tool lets you check the size, type, and last modified date of any document without opening it or downloading it first.
- Get a clear employee view. Use `list_users` to get an official roster of all employees in your organization, which is perfect for compliance audits or onboarding tasks.

## How It Works

The bottom line is that your agent talks to Box like it's its own native system, giving you structured data without any manual clicks.

1. You tell your AI client what you need. For example, 'Find all legal contracts that expire next year and who owns the folder.'
2. The agent translates that request into specific Box actions, like using `search_content` and then calling `get_folder_collaborations` on the results.
3. Your AI client gives you a direct answer, listing the files found, showing their metadata, and confirming the owners and access levels.

## Frequently Asked Questions

**How do I use the Box MCP to find all documents?**
You run `search_content` by telling your agent what you are looking for and specifying filters like file type or date range. This searches across everything in the account, not just one folder.

**Can I use Box MCP to list all employees?**
Yes, calling `list_users` pulls an up-to-date roster of everyone in your organization and their basic group memberships for auditing purposes.

**Is the Box MCP better than just browsing folders?**
Absolutely. Browsing requires you to know the folder path; using this MCP allows you to ask natural language questions (e.g., 'Show me Q3 legal files') and lets the agent figure out the path for you.

**What if I want to create a new project area?**
You use `create_folder` to build it. You simply tell your agent where it should go, and it handles creating the folder structure in Box.