list_symbols

List indexed symbols for a project, optionally filtered by name pattern or file path. Useful for debugging search and understanding project structure.

SERVERACE-MCP SOURCE0215andrewfeng/ace-mcp

Low RISK CLASS

Category Read

Parameters 00 required

Recommended Allowedsee the rule below

Registry record Grade F, identity unverified Pull the record →

This record as markdown: /tools/0215andrewfeng-ace-mcp/list-symbols.md

WHAT IT DOES

What list_symbols does on ACE-MCP

AI agents call list_symbols to retrieve information from ACE-MCP without modifying anything. It is typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.

RISK

Why list_symbols is rated Low

Tool queries indexed project symbols without modifying or executing code; pure retrieval operation with no side effects.

From the tool's definition List indexed symbols, optionally filtered by name pattern or file path

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

RECOMMENDED RULE

The rule that runs list_symbols safely

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: it sits between your AI agents and ACE-MCP, and checks every tool call against a rule you set before the call runs. Nothing changes on the server itself. For list_symbols, this is the rule to start with:

list_symbols Allowed

list_symbols is read-only, so it stays allowed. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

View as policy code

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "list_symbols": {}
  }
}

ALLOW ONLY THIS TOOL → Instant setup, no code required.

The button opens the PolicyLayer dashboard: create your workspace, connect ACE-MCP, apply this rule, and every list_symbols call is checked against it from then on.

FAQ

Questions about list_symbols

What does the list_symbols tool do? +

List indexed symbols for a project, optionally filtered by name pattern or file path. Useful for debugging search and understanding project structure. It is categorised as a Read tool in the ACE-MCP MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.

How do I enforce a policy on list_symbols? +

Register the ACE MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for list_symbols: allow, deny, rate-limit, or require approval. Point your MCP client at the PolicyLayer proxy URL and the rule is enforced on every call, before it reaches ACE-MCP. Nothing to install.

What risk level is list_symbols? +

list_symbols is a Read tool with low risk. Read-only tools are generally safe to allow by default.

Can I rate-limit list_symbols? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the list_symbols rule in your PolicyLayer policy. For example, setting max: 10 and window: 60 limits the tool to 10 calls per minute. Rate limits are tracked per agent session and reset automatically.

How do I block list_symbols completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for list_symbols. The AI agent will receive a policy violation error and cannot call the tool. You can also include a reason field to explain why the tool is blocked.

What MCP server provides list_symbols? +

list_symbols is provided by the ACE MCP server (0215andrewfeng/ace-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

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