get_file_summary

THE RISK

Low Risk

Why get_file_summary needs a policy

This is purely a retrieval operation that analyzes and reports on code file properties without modifying data, executing arbitrary code, or causing side effects. It belongs in the Read category with low severity since file summaries are static analysis with no blast radius to systems or data.

From the tool's definition The tool retrieves file metadata and analysis: 'Get a summary of a specific file, including: Line count, Function/class definitions (for supported languages), Import statements, Basic complexity metrics'. It performs no writes, deletions, or execution of code.

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

POLICY

How to control get_file_summary

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

policy.json

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

get_file_summary 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 Code Index — 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 Code Index tools

Destructive clear_settings Clear all settings and cached data. Execute build_deep_index Build the deep index (full symbol extraction) for the current project. This performs Execute refresh_index Manually rebuild the project file index. Use after git operations or when index seems stal Execute refresh_search_tools Manually re-detect the available command-line search tools on the system. This is usef Write configure_file_watcher configure_file_watcher Write create_temp_directory Create the temporary directory used for storing index data. Write set_project_path Set the base project path for indexing. Read check_temp_directory Check the temporary directory used for storing index data.

All 14 Code Index 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 get_file_summary

What does the get_file_summary tool do? +

Get a summary of a specific file, including: - Line count - Function/class definitions (for supported languages) - Import statements - Basic complexity metrics. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Code Index MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.

How do I enforce a policy on get_file_summary? +

Register the Code Index MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for get_file_summary: 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 Code Index. Nothing to install.

What risk level is get_file_summary? +

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

Can I rate-limit get_file_summary? +

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

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

get_file_summary is provided by the Code Index MCP server (johnhuang316/code-index-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every Code Index tool call.

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

CHECK YOUR STACK →