Search for files by pattern in a directory tree.
AI agents call search_files to retrieve information from OODA Computer Control without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
The search_files tool performs directory traversal and pattern matching to locate files. This is a read-only operation that retrieves information without modifying, deleting, or executing anything. The blast radius is minimal—an attacker could discover sensitive files but cannot access their contents, modify them, or cause damage through this tool alone.
From the tool's definition Tool description states: 'Search for files by pattern in a directory tree.' This is a query/search operation with no side effects.
Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access search_files gives an agent:
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and OODA Computer Control, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for search_files:
{
"version": "1",
"default": "deny",
"tools": {
"search_files": {}
}
}search_files is read-only, so it stays allowed — but everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.
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Search for files by pattern in a directory tree. It is categorised as a Read tool in the OODA Computer Control MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the OODA Computer Control MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for search_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 OODA Computer Control. Nothing to install.
search_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 search_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 search_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.
search_files is provided by the OODA Computer Control MCP server (mnehmos/mnehmos.ooda.mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Start from OODA Computer Control, add the rest of your stack, and see everything your agents can call. Then put policy on all of it.
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99 OODA Computer Control tools catalogued and risk-classified — across an index of 43,000+ MCP servers.