obsidian_list_files

THE RISK

Low Risk

Why obsidian_list_files needs a policy

This tool only retrieves and displays the directory structure and file listing from an Obsidian vault. It has no side effects, cannot modify data, execute code, or delete anything. The blast radius of misuse is minimal - an attacker could only enumerate the vault's contents, which is a low-severity information disclosure risk.

From the tool's definition Tool description states it 'lists files and folders within a specified directory' - a pure query operation with no modification or execution capability.

Risk signalsAdmin/system-level operation

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

POLICY

How to control obsidian_list_files

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

policy.json

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

obsidian_list_files 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 Obsidian MCP Server — 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 Obsidian MCP Server tools

Execute obsidian_dataview_search execute a dataview query language (dql) query. dql is a powerful, sql-like language for Read obsidian_fuzzy_search fuzzy search for notes using approximate matching. works even when obsidian api is unavail Read obsidian_get_file_content retrieves the full content of a specific file from the obsidian vault. Read obsidian_graph_search analyze links and connections between notes. finds orphaned notes, builds link graphs, and Read obsidian_simple_search simple search for documents matching a specified text query across all files in the vault.

All 6 Obsidian MCP Server 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 obsidian_list_files

What does the obsidian_list_files tool do? +

lists files and folders within a specified directory in the obsidian vault. if no directory is specified, lists items in the vault root. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Obsidian MCP Server MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.

How do I enforce a policy on obsidian_list_files? +

Register the Obsidian MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for obsidian_list_files: 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 MCP Server. Nothing to install.

What risk level is obsidian_list_files? +

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

Can I rate-limit obsidian_list_files? +

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

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

obsidian_list_files is provided by the Obsidian MCP Server MCP server (louis030195/easy-obsidian-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every Obsidian MCP Server tool call.

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

CHECK YOUR STACK →