file_read

SERVEROpen Mcp Apps SOURCE@2nd1st/open-mcp-apps

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/2nd1st-open-mcp-apps/file-read.md

WHAT IT DOES

What file_read does on Open Mcp Apps

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

RISK

Why file_read is rated Low

Tool retrieves file data in windows without modification, deletion, or execution capabilities.

From the tool's definition Read one file an app has stored, as a WINDOW of its bytes

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

RECOMMENDED RULE

The rule that runs file_read safely

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

file_read Allowed

file_read 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": {
    "file_read": {}
  }
}

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

The button opens the PolicyLayer dashboard: create your workspace, connect Open Mcp Apps, apply this rule, and every file_read call is checked against it from then on.

FAQ

Questions about file_read

What does the file_read tool do? +

Read one file an app has stored, as a WINDOW of its bytes: offset/length select it, data_base64 carries exactly that window, next_offset continues (same window grammar as get_app, and for the same reason). Reassemble by concatenating decoded windows; sha256 is the WHOLE file. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Open Mcp Apps MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.

How do I enforce a policy on file_read? +

Register the Open Mcp Apps MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for file_read: 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 Open Mcp Apps. Nothing to install.

What risk level is file_read? +

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

Can I rate-limit file_read? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the file_read 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 file_read completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for file_read. 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 file_read? +

file_read is provided by the Open Mcp Apps MCP server (@2nd1st/open-mcp-apps). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

KEEP EXPLORING

More on Open Mcp Apps, and thousands of servers like it.

This server

All 32 Open Mcp Apps tools →

Across the catalogue

read_input_file on 0gzk →get_file_snippet on ACE-MCP → The MCP Attack Database →

Guides

Roll out MCP under one policy →Data exfiltration →MCP token cost →