AI agents call list-files to retrieve information from Ripgrep without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool retrieves and returns information about files that match ripgrep's filter criteria, but performs no search, modification, execution, or deletion. It is purely informational, making it a Read category tool with low severity since file listing has minimal blast radius if misused by an AI agent.
From the tool's definition Tool is explicitly described as 'List files that would be searched by ripgrep without actually searching them' — a retrieval operation that enumerates files without side effects.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
List files that would be searched by ripgrep without actually searching them. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Ripgrep MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Ripgrep MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for list-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 Ripgrep. Nothing to install.
list-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-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-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-files is provided by the Ripgrep MCP server (shk1447/ripgrep-mcp). 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.
Type a name, get the same breakdown: verified identity, auth posture, risk grade, capabilities, recommended policy.
Teams ship this data inside their own products. See what a licence covers →