read_text_file
Read a text file from the filesystem. Returns the file content as text.
This record as markdown: /tools/deep-ai-kr-dev-mcp/read-text-file.md
What read_text_file does on Dev
AI agents call read_text_file to retrieve information from Dev 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
head | number | — | If provided, returns only the first N lines |
path | string | — | Path to the file to read (relative to root) |
tail | number | — | If provided, returns only the last N lines |
Parameters from the server's own tool schema.
Why read_text_file is rated Low
This tool performs a simple read operation that retrieves file content without creating, modifying, deleting, or executing anything. It has no side effects and poses minimal risk even if misused by an agent—the worst outcome is information disclosure within an already-configured root directory scope. Classified as Read with low severity.
From the tool's definition Tool name 'read_text_file' and description 'Read a text file from the filesystem. Returns the file content as text' clearly indicate retrieval of data with no modification or side effects.
Risk signalsAccepts file system path (path)
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
The rule that runs read_text_file safely
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: it sits between your AI agents and Dev, and checks every tool call against a rule you set before the call runs. Nothing changes on the server itself. For read_text_file, this is the rule to start with:
read_text_file 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 Dev, apply this rule, and every read_text_file call is checked against it from then on.
Questions about read_text_file
Read a text file from the filesystem. Returns the file content as text. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Dev MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
read_text_file accepts 3 parameters: head, path, tail. The full parameter table on this page comes from the server's own tool schema.
Register the Dev MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for read_text_file: 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 Dev. Nothing to install.
read_text_file 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 read_text_file 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 read_text_file. 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.
read_text_file is provided by the Dev MCP server (deep-ai-kr/dev-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
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