// MCP TOOL REFERENCE

Low Risk

get_document_symbols_code

ServerVscode
CategoryRead

How to control get_document_symbols_code ↓

WHAT IT DOES

What get_document_symbols_code does on Vscode

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

THE RISK

Low Risk

Why get_document_symbols_code needs a policy

This tool queries and returns metadata about code structure without altering any files or executing code. It is purely informational, similar to listing or fetching data, making it a Read category risk with low severity.

From the tool's definition Tool 'get_document_symbols_code' retrieves symbol outline and hierarchical structure with line numbers. Description states 'Gets complete symbol outline', 'finding symbol positions', 'Shows classes, functions, methods, variables' — all retrieval operations…

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

POLICY

How to control get_document_symbols_code

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

policy.json

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

get_document_symbols_code 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 Vscode — 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 →

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EXPLORE

Related tools and policies

More Vscode tools

Execute execute_shell_command_code Executes shell commands in VS Code integrated terminal. WHEN TO USE: Running CLI Write copy_file_code Copies a file to a new location. WHEN TO USE: Creating backups, duplicating files Write create_file_code Creates new files or completely rewrites existing files. WHEN TO USE: New files, Write move_file_code Moves a file or directory to a new location using VS Code Write rename_file_code Renames a file or directory using VS Code Write replace_lines_code Replaces specific lines in existing files with exact content validation. WHEN TO Read get_diagnostics_code CRITICAL: Run this after EVERY series of code changes to check for errors before completin Read get_symbol_definition_code Gets definition information for a symbol using hover data (type, docs, source). W

All 12 Vscode tools →

Read tools on other servers

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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_document_symbols_code

What does the get_document_symbols_code tool do? +

Gets complete symbol outline for a file showing hierarchical structure and line numbers. WHEN TO USE: Understanding file structure, getting overview of all symbols, finding symbol positions. This tool should be be preferred over reading the file using read_file_code when only an overview of the file is needed. USE search_symbols_code instead for: finding specific symbols by name across the project. Shows classes, functions, methods, variables with line ranges. Use maxDepth for large files to avoid deep nesting. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Vscode MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.

How do I enforce a policy on get_document_symbols_code? +

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

What risk level is get_document_symbols_code? +

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

Can I rate-limit get_document_symbols_code? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the get_document_symbols_code 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_document_symbols_code completely? +

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

get_document_symbols_code is provided by the Vscode MCP server (juehang/vscode-mcp-server). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.