List subfolders at a given path in the vault. Returns immediate child folders only.
AI agents call list_folders to retrieve information from Obsidian Vault MCP Server 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 folder metadata from the vault without creating, modifying, deleting, or executing any operations. It has no side effects beyond reading directory structure. While the broader server includes destructive operations (delete_note, delete_folder), this specific tool is purely informational and low-risk.
From the tool's definition Tool description states 'List subfolders at a given path in the vault. Returns immediate child folders only.' The verb 'list' and action of returning folder information without modification indicates a read-only retrieval operation.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
List subfolders at a given path in the vault. Returns immediate child folders only. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Obsidian Vault MCP Server MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Obsidian Vault MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for list_folders: 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 Obsidian Vault MCP Server. Nothing to install.
list_folders 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 list_folders 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 list_folders. 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.
list_folders is provided by the Obsidian Vault MCP Server MCP server (jonhollander/obsidian-mcp-cloudflare). 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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