List files in the vault or a specific folder
AI agents call files to retrieve information from Obsidian Local without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool retrieves and enumerates filesystem metadata (file listings) without creating, modifying, deleting, or executing any operations. It is purely informational, matching the Read category definition. Severity is low because listing files poses minimal risk; an AI agent cannot cause harm by discovering what files exist in a vault.
From the tool's definition Tool name 'files' with description 'List files in the vault or a specific folder' — a query operation with no data modification.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
List files in the vault or a specific folder. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Obsidian Local MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Obsidian Local MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for 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 Local. Nothing to install.
files 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 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.
Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for 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.
files is provided by the Obsidian Local MCP server (matthewsuazo/obsidian-local-mcp). 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.
Teams ship this data inside their own products. See what a licence covers →