list_allowed_directories

Q: How do I enforce a policy on list_allowed_directories?

Register the Desktop Commander MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for list_allowed_directories: 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.

Q: What risk level is list_allowed_directories?

list_allowed_directories is a Read tool with low risk. Read-only tools are generally safe to allow by default.

Q: Can I rate-limit list_allowed_directories?

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the list_allowed_directories 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.

Q: How do I block list_allowed_directories completely?

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

Q: What MCP server provides list_allowed_directories?

list_allowed_directories 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.

THE RISK

Low Risk

Why list_allowed_directories needs a policy

This tool merely retrieves and lists allowed directory permissions—a passive information query with no side effects, no data modification, and no code execution. It poses minimal risk even if misused by an agent, as it only exposes the access control policy of the server itself.

From the tool's definition Tool name 'list_allowed_directories' and description 'Returns the list of directories that this server is allowed to access' indicate a query operation that retrieves configuration metadata without modifying or executing anything.

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

POLICY

How to control list_allowed_directories

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 list_allowed_directories:

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "list_allowed_directories": {}
  }
}

list_allowed_directories is read-only, so it stays allowed — but 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.

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EXPLORE

Related tools and policies

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Go deeper

The MCP Attack Database → Documented attack patterns against MCP deployments — and the policies that stop them.
Data exfiltration → How read access becomes an exfiltration channel when chained with untrusted content.
MCP token cost → What connecting this server costs in context-window tokens on every request.
Rate Limiting MCP Tool Calls: A Practical Guide →
MCP Security: Why Prompt Guardrails Aren't Enough →

FAQ

Questions about list_allowed_directories

What does the list_allowed_directories tool do? +

Returns the list of directories that this server is allowed to access. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Desktop Commander MCP MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.

How do I enforce a policy on list_allowed_directories? +

Register the Desktop Commander MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for list_allowed_directories: 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 list_allowed_directories? +

list_allowed_directories is a Read tool with low risk. Read-only tools are generally safe to allow by default.

Can I rate-limit list_allowed_directories? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the list_allowed_directories 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 list_allowed_directories completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for list_allowed_directories. 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 list_allowed_directories? +

list_allowed_directories 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 →