List children of the current directory. In the DOM tree: shows elements as files and directories. At the browser level (~): shows tabs/windows.\n\nFlags:\n -l Long format (more detail per element)\n --meta Show DOM properties (href, src, id) inline — great for extracting links\n --text Show visib...
Part of the DOMShell server.
Free to start. No card required.
AI agents call domshell_ls to retrieve information from DOMShell without modifying any data. This is common in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows where the agent needs context before taking action. Because read operations don't change state, they are generally safe to allow without restrictions -- but you may still want rate limits to control API costs.
Even though domshell_ls only reads data, uncontrolled read access can leak sensitive information or rack up API costs. An agent caught in a retry loop could make thousands of calls per minute. A rate limit gives you a safety net without blocking legitimate use.
Read-only tools are safe to allow by default. No rate limit needed unless you want to control costs.
{
"version": "1",
"default": "deny",
"tools": {
"domshell_ls": {}
}
}See the full DOMShell policy for all 38 tools.
These attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access domshell_ls gives an agent. Each links to the full case and the policy that stops it:
Other read tools across the catalogue. The same approach applies to each: allow, with a rate cap to control cost.
List children of the current directory. In the DOM tree: shows elements as files and directories. At the browser level (~): shows tabs/windows.\n\nFlags:\n -l Long format (more detail per element)\n --meta Show DOM properties (href, src, id) inline — great for extracting links\n --text Show visible text preview per element\n -r Recursive listing\n -n N Limit to N results\n --offset N Skip first N children (pagination)\n --type ROLE Filter by AX role (link, heading, button, etc.)\n --count Just count children\n --textlen N Max chars for text preview (default 80)\n --after NAME Show only children after the named element (sibling navigation)\n --before NAME Show only children before the named element (sibling navigation)\n\nSibling navigation: Use --after/--before to find content relative to a landmark. Example: ls --after See_also_heading -n 3 --text shows the 3 elements after a heading. Combines with --type: ls --after intro --type link --meta.\n\nPipe support: ls output can be piped into grep for filtering: ls --text | grep keyword.\n\nBest for: viewing immediate children of the current element.\nNOT recommended for: searching deep in the tree — use domshell_find or domshell_grep instead.. It is categorised as a Read tool in the DOMShell MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the DOMShell MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for domshell_ls: 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 DOMShell. Nothing to install.
domshell_ls 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 domshell_ls 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 domshell_ls. 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.
domshell_ls is provided by the DOMShell MCP server (@apireno/domshell). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Deterministic rules across all 38 DOMShell tools. Per-identity grants. Full audit log. Live in minutes. Nothing to install.
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