Search messages and files. Uses search.messages and search.files and returns both.
AI agents call search_messages_files to retrieve information from Slack Max API MCP without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool queries and retrieves data from Slack (messages and files) without creating, modifying, deleting, or executing operations. It is a classic Read operation with minimal risk—the worst-case scenario is exposure of existing workspace data through search results, which is informational only and reversible through access controls.
From the tool's definition Tool name 'search_messages_files' and description 'Search messages and files. Uses search.messages and search.files' indicate retrieval operations without modification.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Search messages and files. Uses search.messages and search.files and returns both. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Slack Max API MCP MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Slack Max API MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for search_messages_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 Slack Max API MCP. Nothing to install.
search_messages_files 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 search_messages_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.
Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for search_messages_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.
search_messages_files is provided by the Slack Max API MCP server (jeongwoobin335/slack-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Every MCP server has a record like this.
Type a name, get the same breakdown: verified identity, auth posture, risk grade, capabilities, recommended policy.
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