List non‑hidden files and folders in a directory.
AI agents call list_directory to retrieve information from Cursor 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 simple directory listing operation, which is a read-only query that retrieves filesystem metadata without creating, modifying, executing, or deleting any data. The explicit exclusion of hidden files further reinforces that this is a safe informational query. No code execution, state changes, or irreversible actions are possible.
From the tool's definition Tool name 'list_directory' and description 'List non‑hidden files and folders in a directory' indicate retrieval of directory contents with no modification or side effects.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
List non‑hidden files and folders in a directory. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Cursor MCP Server MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Cursor MCP Server 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 Cursor MCP Server. Nothing to install.
list_directory 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_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.
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.
list_directory is provided by the Cursor MCP Server MCP server (tariqnasheed/cursor_mcp_server). 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 →