mirror_dir
Copy only changed files (same size+mtime => skipped) into dest.
This record as markdown: /tools/mcp-hands/mirror-dir.md
What mirror_dir does on Mcp Hands
AI agents call mirror_dir to retrieve information from Mcp Hands without modifying anything. It is typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
Why mirror_dir is rated Low
Even though mirror_dir only reads data, uncontrolled read access leaks sensitive information and racks up API costs: an agent caught in a retry loop can make thousands of calls a minute without anyone noticing.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
The rule that runs mirror_dir safely
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: it sits between your AI agents and Mcp Hands, and checks every tool call against a rule you set before the call runs. Nothing changes on the server itself. For mirror_dir, this is the rule to start with:
mirror_dir is read-only, so it stays allowed. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.
The button opens the PolicyLayer dashboard: create your workspace, connect Mcp Hands, apply this rule, and every mirror_dir call is checked against it from then on.
Questions about mirror_dir
Copy only changed files (same size+mtime => skipped) into dest. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Mcp Hands MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Mcp Hands MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for mirror_dir: 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 Mcp Hands. Nothing to install.
mirror_dir 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 mirror_dir 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 mirror_dir. 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.
mirror_dir is provided by the Mcp Hands MCP server (huocai250/mcp-hands). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
More on Mcp Hands, and thousands of servers like it.
This server
Across the catalogue