create_directory

THE RISK

Medium Risk

Why create_directory needs a policy

Creating directories is a reversible write operation (directories can be deleted). It does not execute arbitrary commands (that is 'execute_command'), does not delete data (that is 'force_terminate' or analogous destructive tools), and does not involve financial transactions.

From the tool's definition Tool description states 'Create a new directory or ensure a directory exists' — a write operation that modifies the filesystem by adding new directories.

Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access create_directory gives an agent:

POLICY

How to control create_directory

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and Desktop Commander MCP, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for create_directory:

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "create_directory": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "create_directory_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 30,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

create_directory stays usable, but capped — an agent stuck in a loop can't make hundreds of changes a minute. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

Create a free account and register Desktop Commander MCP — nothing to install.
Add this policy — paste it, or build it visually.
Point your MCP client (Claude, Cursor, anything) at your gateway URL.

LIMIT THIS TOOL →

Free to start. No card required.

EXPLORE

Related tools and policies

More Desktop Commander MCP tools

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All 19 Desktop Commander MCP tools →

Write tools on other servers

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Go deeper

The MCP Attack Database → Documented attack patterns against MCP deployments — and the policies that stop them.
Argument validation → Checking tool call arguments against schema and policy before they run.
Scoped token → Per-person credentials that grant a defined subset of servers and tools.
Rate Limiting MCP Tool Calls: A Practical Guide →
MCP Security: Why Prompt Guardrails Aren't Enough →

FAQ

Questions about create_directory

What does the create_directory tool do? +

Create a new directory or ensure a directory exists. Can create multiple. It is categorised as a Write tool in the Desktop Commander MCP MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.

How do I enforce a policy on create_directory? +

Register the Desktop Commander MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for create_directory: 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 Desktop Commander MCP. Nothing to install.

What risk level is create_directory? +

create_directory is a Write tool with medium risk. Write tools should be rate-limited to prevent accidental bulk modifications.

Can I rate-limit create_directory? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the create_directory 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.

How do I block create_directory completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for create_directory. 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.

What MCP server provides create_directory? +

create_directory is provided by the Desktop Commander MCP server (mrgnss/claudedesktopcommander). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every Desktop Commander MCP tool call.

Start from Desktop Commander MCP, add the rest of your stack, and see everything your agents can call. Then put policy on all of it.

CHECK YOUR STACK →