Search for files and folders in the workspace using a regular expression
AI agents call search_entries to retrieve information from Node Dev MCP Server without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool retrieves information about files and folders matching a search pattern. It is a read-only operation that does not create, modify, delete, or execute anything. The regex-based search is a standard information retrieval function with no blast radius if misused—an agent querying the filesystem cannot cause harm through searches alone.
From the tool's definition Tool name 'search_entries' and description 'Search for files and folders in the workspace using a regular expression' indicates a query/search operation with no data modification or side effects.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Search for files and folders in the workspace using a regular expression. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Node Dev MCP Server MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Node Dev MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for search_entries: 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 Node Dev MCP Server. Nothing to install.
search_entries 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_entries 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_entries. 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_entries is provided by the Node Dev MCP Server MCP server (liamcarver/node-dev-mcp-server). 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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