Retrieves and displays the contents of a compressed log file (.gz) previously created by the compress_logs tool. Automatically decompresses the file and attempts to parse it as JSON. Use this tool to examine logs that have been compressed for storage efficiency.
AI agents call view_compressed_log to retrieve information from Nova Act without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool performs read-only operations: decompressing and displaying log file contents for inspection. It does not modify, delete, or execute code. The blast radius of misuse is limited to potential information disclosure from logs, which is a read operation risk. No irreversible actions or external effects are triggered.
From the tool's definition Tool description states it 'Retrieves and displays the contents of a compressed log file' and 'Automatically decompresses the file and attempts to parse it as JSON'.
Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access view_compressed_log gives an agent:
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and Nova Act, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for view_compressed_log:
{
"version": "1",
"default": "deny",
"tools": {
"view_compressed_log": {}
}
}view_compressed_log is read-only, so it stays allowed — but everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.
Free to start. No card required.
Retrieves and displays the contents of a compressed log file (.gz) previously created by the compress_logs tool. Automatically decompresses the file and attempts to parse it as JSON. Use this tool to examine logs that have been compressed for storage efficiency. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Nova Act MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Nova Act MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for view_compressed_log: 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 Nova Act. Nothing to install.
view_compressed_log 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 view_compressed_log 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 view_compressed_log. 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.
view_compressed_log is provided by the Nova Act MCP server (madtank/nova-act-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Start from Nova Act, add the rest of your stack, and see everything your agents can call. Then put policy on all of it.
Free to start. No card required.
9 Nova Act tools catalogued and risk-classified — across an index of 43,000+ MCP servers.