List directory contents
AI agents call list_directory to retrieve information from VS Code + GPT Bridge without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This is a pure query operation that returns metadata about directory contents (file names, types, possibly sizes) with no side effects. Even in a broader context where sibling tools include destructive operations (delete, run_command), this individual tool only reads and lists.
From the tool's definition Tool name is 'list_directory' with description 'List directory contents' — this retrieves directory structure without modifying or executing anything.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
List directory contents. It is categorised as a Read tool in the VS Code + GPT Bridge MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the VS Code + GPT Bridge MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for list_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 VS Code + GPT Bridge. Nothing to install.
list_directory 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 list_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.
Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for list_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.
list_directory is provided by the VS Code + GPT Bridge MCP server (ndyadav8797-art/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.
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