Low Risk

list_directory

list_directory

How to control list_directory ↓

What list_directory does on Largefile

AI agents call list_directory to retrieve information from Largefile without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.

Low Risk

Why list_directory needs a policy

This tool retrieves or queries directory structure with no side effects. The empty description is compensated by the clear semantics of 'list_directory' and the homogeneous Read-category purpose of sibling tools in a navigation and search-focused server. No modifications, deletions, code execution, or financial operations are implied.

From the tool's definition Tool name 'list_directory' indicates retrieval of directory contents; server context emphasizes navigation and search of large files; sibling tools include 'read_content', 'search_content', and 'get_overview' which are all Read operations; lack of…

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

How to control list_directory

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and Largefile, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for list_directory:

policy.json
{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "list_directory": {}
  }
}

list_directory is read-only, so it stays allowed — but everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

  1. Create a free account and register Largefile — nothing to install.
  2. Add this policy — paste it, or build it visually.
  3. Point your MCP client (Claude, Cursor, anything) at your gateway URL.
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Related tools and policies

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Questions about list_directory

What does the list_directory tool do? +

list_directory. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Largefile MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.

How do I enforce a policy on list_directory? +

Register the Largefile 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 Largefile. Nothing to install.

What risk level is list_directory? +

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

Can I rate-limit list_directory? +

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.

How do I block list_directory completely? +

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.

What MCP server provides list_directory? +

list_directory is provided by the Largefile MCP server (peteretelej/largefile). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every Largefile tool call.

Start from Largefile, add the rest of your stack, and see everything your agents can call. Then put policy on all of it.

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8 Largefile tools catalogued and risk-classified — across an index of 43,000+ MCP servers.

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