grep_files_with_matches
List only the names of files that contain the pattern
This record as markdown: /tools/247arjun-mcp-grep/grep-files-with-matches.md
What grep_files_with_matches does on Grep MCP Server
AI agents call grep_files_with_matches to retrieve information from Grep MCP Server without modifying anything. It is typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
Why grep_files_with_matches is rated Low
This tool performs a search query across files and returns matching file names as results. It retrieves information without side effects, modifying data, executing code, or destroying anything. It is a classic read operation analogous to a search or query function.
From the tool's definition Tool name 'grep_files_with_matches' and description 'List only the names of files that contain the pattern' indicate a retrieval operation that outputs file names matching search criteria.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
The rule that runs grep_files_with_matches safely
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: it sits between your AI agents and Grep MCP Server, and checks every tool call against a rule you set before the call runs. Nothing changes on the server itself. For grep_files_with_matches, this is the rule to start with:
grep_files_with_matches is read-only, so it stays allowed. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.
The button opens the PolicyLayer dashboard: create your workspace, connect Grep MCP Server, apply this rule, and every grep_files_with_matches call is checked against it from then on.
Questions about grep_files_with_matches
List only the names of files that contain the pattern. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Grep MCP Server MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Grep MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for grep_files_with_matches: 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 Grep MCP Server. Nothing to install.
grep_files_with_matches is a Read tool with low risk. Read-only tools are generally safe to allow by default.
Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the grep_files_with_matches 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.
Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for grep_files_with_matches. 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.
grep_files_with_matches is provided by the Grep MCP Server MCP server (247arjun/mcp-grep). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
More on Grep MCP Server, and thousands of servers like it.
This server
Across the catalogue