List recently downloaded files
AI agents call get_recent_downloads to retrieve information from Clippy without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This is a read-only operation that queries the macOS file system to enumerate recent downloads. It has no side effects, does not execute code, does not modify data, and does not access sensitive operations like clipboard manipulation. The blast radius of misuse is minimal—an agent could learn what files a user recently downloaded, which is information disclosure but not critical. Classified as Read with low severity.
From the tool's definition Tool name is 'get_recent_downloads' and description states 'List recently downloaded files' — a query operation that retrieves data without modifying or executing anything.
Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access get_recent_downloads gives an agent:
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and Clippy, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for get_recent_downloads:
{
"version": "1",
"default": "deny",
"tools": {
"get_recent_downloads": {}
}
}get_recent_downloads is read-only, so it stays allowed — but everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.
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List recently downloaded files. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Clippy MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Clippy MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for get_recent_downloads: 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 Clippy. Nothing to install.
get_recent_downloads 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 get_recent_downloads 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 get_recent_downloads. 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.
get_recent_downloads is provided by the Clippy MCP server (neilberkman/clippy). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Start from Clippy, add the rest of your stack, and see everything your agents can call. Then put policy on all of it.
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7 Clippy tools catalogued and risk-classified — across an index of 43,000+ MCP servers.