AI agents call skills_read to retrieve information from Llama without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool retrieves data about a skill by its slug identifier. It performs a simple lookup operation without creating, modifying, deleting, or executing anything. The use of 'read' in the name and the passive retrieval pattern in the description confirm this is a Read category tool with minimal risk.
From the tool's definition Tool name 'skills_read' and description 'Read one runtime Llama OS skill by slug' explicitly indicate a read-only retrieval operation with no modification or side effects.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Read one runtime Llama OS skill by slug. Use after skills_search. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Llama MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Llama MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for skills_read: 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 Llama. Nothing to install.
skills_read 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 skills_read 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 skills_read. 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.
skills_read is provided by the Llama MCP server (llama-ventures/llama-cli). 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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