Recursively search for files and directories matching a pattern. The patterns should be glob-style patterns that match paths relative to the working directory. Use pattern like
AI agents call search_files to retrieve information from FilesystemMCP without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool performs a read-only search operation across the filesystem using glob patterns. It has no side effects—it only discovers and lists files matching criteria, similar to shell commands like 'find' or 'grep' used for discovery. No data is modified, deleted, or executed. The low blast radius reflects minimal risk: the worst outcome is disclosure of file paths within allowed directories.
From the tool's definition Tool name 'search_files' and description 'Recursively search for files and directories matching a pattern' indicates a query operation that retrieves matching file paths without modifying or executing anything.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Recursively search for files and directories matching a pattern. The patterns should be glob-style patterns that match paths relative to the working directory. Use pattern like. It is categorised as a Read tool in the FilesystemMCP MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Filesystem MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for search_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 FilesystemMCP. Nothing to install.
search_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 search_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 search_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.
search_files is provided by the Filesystem MCP server (rijadalisic/filesystemmcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Every MCP server has a record like this.
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