List files and directories in DBFS (Databricks File System).
AI agents call list_dbfs_files to retrieve information from Databricks MCP Server without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool performs a query/enumeration operation against the Databricks File System. It retrieves information about files and directories but does not create, modify, delete, or execute anything. The blast radius is minimal since it only exposes metadata about file structure. No authentication or financial concerns apply. Confidence is high because the name and description are explicit and unambiguous.
From the tool's definition Tool name is 'list_dbfs_files' and description states 'List files and directories in DBFS'. The verb 'list' is a read operation that retrieves directory contents without modifying or deleting data.
Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access list_dbfs_files gives an agent:
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and Databricks MCP Server, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for list_dbfs_files:
{
"version": "1",
"default": "deny",
"tools": {
"list_dbfs_files": {}
}
}list_dbfs_files is read-only, so it stays allowed — but everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.
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List files and directories in DBFS (Databricks File System). It is categorised as a Read tool in the Databricks MCP Server MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Databricks MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for list_dbfs_files: 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 Databricks MCP Server. Nothing to install.
list_dbfs_files 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_dbfs_files 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_dbfs_files. 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_dbfs_files is provided by the Databricks MCP Server MCP server (pulkitxchadha/awesome-databricks-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Start from Databricks MCP Server, add the rest of your stack, and see everything your agents can call. Then put policy on all of it.
Free to start. No card required.
86 Databricks MCP Server tools catalogued and risk-classified — across an index of 43,000+ MCP servers.