Get all symbols for a file (signatures only, no bodies). Use instead of Read to understand a file before editing — much cheaper in tokens. For reading one symbol\
AI agents call get_outline to retrieve information from Trace without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool retrieves structural metadata (symbol signatures) from source files without side effects, modification, or code execution. It is a pure data retrieval operation designed for code analysis and navigation. The lower token cost mentioned confirms it is a read-only, lightweight inspection tool.
From the tool's definition Tool name 'get_outline' and description explicitly states 'Get all symbols for a file (signatures only, no bodies)' and 'Use instead of Read to understand a file before editing'.
Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access get_outline gives an agent:
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and Trace, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for get_outline:
{
"version": "1",
"default": "deny",
"tools": {
"get_outline": {}
}
}get_outline is read-only, so it stays allowed — but everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.
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Get all symbols for a file (signatures only, no bodies). Use instead of Read to understand a file before editing — much cheaper in tokens. For reading one symbol\. 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_outline: 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_outline 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_outline 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_outline. 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_outline 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.
Deterministic rules across all 178 Trace tools. Per-identity grants. Full audit log. Live in minutes. Nothing to install.
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178 Trace tools catalogued and risk-classified — across an index of 42,500+ MCP servers.