Get a recursive tree view of files and directories as a JSON structure.
AI agents call directory_tree to retrieve information from Filesystem MCP Server (HTTP Streaming) without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool only queries and retrieves directory structure information. It performs no write, delete, execute, or financial operations. The recursive tree view is purely informational, presenting existing filesystem metadata in JSON format. No side effects occur beyond reading.
From the tool's definition Tool name 'directory_tree' and description 'Get a recursive tree view of files and directories as a JSON structure' indicate retrieval of directory metadata without modification.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Get a recursive tree view of files and directories as a JSON structure. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Filesystem MCP Server (HTTP Streaming) MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Filesystem MCP Server (HTTP Streaming) MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for directory_tree: 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 Filesystem MCP Server (HTTP Streaming). Nothing to install.
directory_tree 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 directory_tree 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 directory_tree. 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.
directory_tree is provided by the Filesystem MCP Server (HTTP Streaming) MCP server (jeswin/mcpfs). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
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