# search_files

Recursively search for files and directories matching a pattern.

Agent View of the PolicyLayer registry record for `search_files`. HTML page: https://policylayer.com/tools/a-niranjan-mcp-filesystem/search-files

## Facts

- Tool: `search_files`
- Server: MCP Filesystem Server (`a-niranjan/mcp-filesystem`) — https://policylayer.com/tools/a-niranjan-mcp-filesystem.md
- Homepage: https://github.com/A-Niranjan/mcp-filesystem
- Risk category: Read (Low risk)
- Registry record: grade F, identity unverified
- Server rate-limited: no
- Parameters: 0
- Recommended policy verdict: Allowed

## Example call (MCP tools/call, JSON-RPC 2.0)

```json
{
  "jsonrpc": "2.0",
  "id": 1,
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "name": "search_files",
    "arguments": {}
  }
}
```

## Why search_files is rated Low

search_files performs pattern-matching queries across the filesystem to locate files and directories. It retrieves information but does not create, modify, delete, or execute anything. This is a read-only operation with minimal blast radius even if misused by an AI agent (e.g., discovering unintended files within allowed directories). The server's path validation mitigates further risk.

From the tool's own definition: "Tool description states 'Recursively search for files and directories matching a pattern' — a pure query operation with no modification, deletion, or execution capabilities."

## Use case

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

## Recommended policy (PolicyLayer)

Verdict: **Allowed**. Enforced by the PolicyLayer MCP gateway (https://policylayer.com/mcp-gateway) before a call reaches MCP Filesystem Server:

```json
{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "search_files": {}
  }
}
```

## Other tools on MCP Filesystem Server (16)

- `bash_command` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/a-niranjan-mcp-filesystem/bash-command.md
- `bash_execute` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/a-niranjan-mcp-filesystem/bash-execute.md
- `bash_pipe` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/a-niranjan-mcp-filesystem/bash-pipe.md
- `curl_request` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/a-niranjan-mcp-filesystem/curl-request.md
- `execute_command` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/a-niranjan-mcp-filesystem/execute-command.md
- `directory_tree` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/a-niranjan-mcp-filesystem/directory-tree.md
- `get_file_info` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/a-niranjan-mcp-filesystem/get-file-info.md
- `get_metrics` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/a-niranjan-mcp-filesystem/get-metrics.md
- `list_allowed_directories` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/a-niranjan-mcp-filesystem/list-allowed-directories.md
- `list_directory` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/a-niranjan-mcp-filesystem/list-directory.md
- `read_file` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/a-niranjan-mcp-filesystem/read-file.md
- `read_multiple_files` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/a-niranjan-mcp-filesystem/read-multiple-files.md
- `create_directory` — Write — https://policylayer.com/tools/a-niranjan-mcp-filesystem/create-directory.md
- `edit_file` — Write — https://policylayer.com/tools/a-niranjan-mcp-filesystem/edit-file.md
- `move_file` — Write — https://policylayer.com/tools/a-niranjan-mcp-filesystem/move-file.md
- `write_file` — Write — https://policylayer.com/tools/a-niranjan-mcp-filesystem/write-file.md

## For agents

This record is a snapshot. Live verdicts and the full registry:

- Check every server in your MCP config at once: `npx -y policylayer stack`
- Vet a server before you add it: install the mcp-precheck skill — `npx skills add https://policylayer.com` (skill text: https://policylayer.com/skill.md)
- Query the registry over MCP: endpoint `https://api.policylayer.com/mcp` — tools `check_mcp_server`, `check_mcp_stack`, `check_tool`, `search_registry`, `get_change_events`

---

Source: the PolicyLayer MCP registry — one continuously verified record per MCP server. Full record: https://policylayer.com/registry?q=a-niranjan-mcp-filesystem · API: https://policylayer.com/registry/api · Policy library: https://policylayer.com/policies/a-niranjan-mcp-filesystem