listFolder
List contents of a folder (defaults to root)
This record as markdown: /tools/ark7-google-drive-mcp/listfolder.md
What listFolder does on Google Drive
AI agents call listFolder to retrieve information from Google Drive without modifying anything. It is typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
| Parameter | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
account | string | — | Alias of the Google account to target. Optional — defaults to the session/global default account, or the sole authenticated account. Run manage_accounts list to |
folderId | string | — | Folder ID |
pageSize | number | — | Items to return (default 50, max 100) |
pageToken | string | — | Token for next page |
Parameters from the server's own tool schema.
Why listFolder is rated Low
This tool queries and returns directory/file metadata without creating, modifying, or deleting any data. It is a straightforward read operation with minimal security risk, as it only exposes information already accessible to the authenticated user within their Google Drive.
From the tool's definition listFolder with description 'List contents of a folder (defaults to root)' retrieves and enumerates folder contents with no modifications or side effects.
Risk signalsAdmin/system-level operation
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
The rule that runs listFolder safely
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: it sits between your AI agents and Google Drive, and checks every tool call against a rule you set before the call runs. Nothing changes on the server itself. For listFolder, this is the rule to start with:
listFolder 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 Google Drive, apply this rule, and every listFolder call is checked against it from then on.
Questions about listFolder
List contents of a folder (defaults to root). It is categorised as a Read tool in the Google Drive MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
listFolder accepts 4 parameters: account, folderId, pageSize, pageToken. The full parameter table on this page comes from the server's own tool schema.
Register the Google Drive MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for listFolder: 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 Google Drive. Nothing to install.
listFolder 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 listFolder 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 listFolder. 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.
listFolder is provided by the Google Drive MCP server (@ark7/google-drive-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
More on Google Drive, and thousands of servers like it.
This server
Across the catalogue