List folders in the vault
AI agents call folders 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 directory structure metadata from an Obsidian vault without altering any data, executing code, or triggering side effects. Listing folders is a benign read-only query operation that poses minimal risk even if invoked by an AI agent.
From the tool's definition Tool name is 'folders' and description states 'List folders in the vault' — a straightforward retrieval operation with no modification or execution.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
List folders in the vault. 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 folders: 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.
folders 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 folders 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 folders. 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.
folders 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 →