download_slack_file

THE RISK

Low Risk

Why download_slack_file needs a policy

This tool retrieves/downloads a file from Slack using a file ID. It performs a query-like operation (fetch) that reads data without side effects—no creation, modification, deletion, or execution of code occurs. The action is purely informational retrieval, making it a Read category risk with low severity since file downloads present minimal blast radius compared to write or destructive operations.

From the tool's definition Tool name 'download_slack_file' and description 'Download a file attachment from Slack by its file ID' indicate retrieval of existing data without modification or deletion.

Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access download_slack_file gives an agent:

POLICY

How to control download_slack_file

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and Apple Shortcuts, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for download_slack_file:

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "download_slack_file": {}
  }
}

download_slack_file is read-only, so it stays allowed — but everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

Create a free account and register Apple Shortcuts — nothing to install.
Add this policy — paste it, or build it visually.
Point your MCP client (Claude, Cursor, anything) at your gateway URL.

CAP THIS TOOL →

Free to start. No card required.

EXPLORE

Related tools and policies

More Apple Shortcuts tools

Destructive cancel_runway_task Cancel a pending/running task or delete a completed task. Saves credits if cancelled befor Destructive delete_custom_voice Delete a custom voice by ID. This is permanent and cannot be undone. Destructive delete_email Delete or move an email to trash. Destructive delete_event Delete a calendar event. Destructive delete_file Delete a file or folder from OneDrive. Destructive delete_library_item Delete a file or folder from a SharePoint document library. Destructive delete_list_item Delete an item from a SharePoint list. Destructive opus_cancel_scheduled_post Cancel a scheduled social post BEFORE its publishAt time.

All 423 Apple Shortcuts tools →

Read tools on other servers

M-Team MCP Server get_torrent_detail YouTube MCP Server search_channel Android Forensics ADB MCP Server parse_browser_history 0xarchive web3_challenge

Go deeper

The MCP Attack Database → Documented attack patterns against MCP deployments — and the policies that stop them.
Data exfiltration → How read access becomes an exfiltration channel when chained with untrusted content.
MCP token cost → What connecting this server costs in context-window tokens on every request.
Rate Limiting MCP Tool Calls: A Practical Guide →
MCP Security: Why Prompt Guardrails Aren't Enough →

FAQ

Questions about download_slack_file

What does the download_slack_file tool do? +

Download a file attachment from Slack by its file ID. WORKFLOW: 1. get_slack_channel_history(channel, response_format:. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Apple Shortcuts MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.

How do I enforce a policy on download_slack_file? +

Register the Apple Shortcuts MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for download_slack_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 Apple Shortcuts. Nothing to install.

What risk level is download_slack_file? +

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

Can I rate-limit download_slack_file? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the download_slack_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.

How do I block download_slack_file completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for download_slack_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.

What MCP server provides download_slack_file? +

download_slack_file is provided by the Apple Shortcuts MCP server (@mindstone/mcp-server-apple-shortcuts). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every Apple Shortcuts tool call.

Start from Apple Shortcuts, add the rest of your stack, and see everything your agents can call. Then put policy on all of it.

CHECK YOUR STACK →