search_files

Recursively search for files and directories matching a pattern

SERVERNcp SOURCE@portel/ncp

Low RISK CLASS

Category Read

Parameters 00 required

Recommended Allowedsee the rule below

Registry record Grade F, identity unverified Pull the record →

This record as markdown: /tools/io-github-portel-dev-ncp/search-files.md

WHAT IT DOES

What search_files does on Ncp

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

RISK

Why search_files is rated Low

The tool performs file and directory discovery/search operations, which are informational queries with no side effects. It does not create, modify, delete, or execute code. Blast radius of misuse is minimal - an attacker could discover files they shouldn't see, but cannot alter system state.

From the tool's definition Tool description states 'Recursively search for files and directories matching a pattern' - this is a read-only operation that retrieves information without modifying, deleting, or executing anything.

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

RECOMMENDED RULE

The rule that runs search_files safely

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: it sits between your AI agents and Ncp, and checks every tool call against a rule you set before the call runs. Nothing changes on the server itself. For search_files, this is the rule to start with:

search_files Allowed

search_files is read-only, so it stays allowed. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

View as policy code

policy.json

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

ALLOW ONLY THIS TOOL → Instant setup, no code required.

The button opens the PolicyLayer dashboard: create your workspace, connect Ncp, apply this rule, and every search_files call is checked against it from then on.

FAQ

Questions about search_files

What does the search_files tool do? +

Recursively search for files and directories matching a pattern. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Ncp MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.

How do I enforce a policy on search_files? +

Register the Ncp MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for search_files: 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 Ncp. Nothing to install.

What risk level is search_files? +

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

Can I rate-limit search_files? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the search_files 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 search_files completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for search_files. 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 search_files? +

search_files is provided by the Ncp MCP server (@portel/ncp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

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