get_api_surface
List all exported symbols (public API) of a file or matching files. Use to understand what a module exposes. For finding unused exports use get_dead_code with mode: exports_only. Read-only. Returns JSON: { files: [{ path, exports: [{ name, kind, signature }] }] }.
This record as markdown: /tools/nikolai-vysotskyi-trace-mcp/get-api-surface.md
What get_api_surface does on Trace
AI agents call get_api_surface to retrieve information from Trace without modifying anything. It is typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
Why get_api_surface is rated Low
Retrieves and queries code metadata without modifying or executing code; inspection-only operation.
From the tool's definition List all exported symbols, public API, read-only, returns JSON
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
The rule that runs get_api_surface safely
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: it sits between your AI agents and Trace, and checks every tool call against a rule you set before the call runs. Nothing changes on the server itself. For get_api_surface, this is the rule to start with:
get_api_surface is read-only, so it stays allowed. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.
The button opens the PolicyLayer dashboard: create your workspace, connect Trace, apply this rule, and every get_api_surface call is checked against it from then on.
Questions about get_api_surface
List all exported symbols (public API) of a file or matching files. Use to understand what a module exposes. For finding unused exports use get_dead_code with mode: exports_only. Read-only. Returns JSON: { files: [{ path, exports: [{ name, kind, signature }] }] }. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Trace MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Trace MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for get_api_surface: 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 Trace. Nothing to install.
get_api_surface 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_api_surface 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_api_surface. 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_api_surface is provided by the Trace MCP server (nikolai-vysotskyi/trace-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
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