scan_file_for_secrets

Scan a local file for secret patterns before release or export.

SERVERTodos SOURCE@hasna/todos

Low RISK CLASS

Category Read

Parameters 00 required

Recommended Allowedsee the rule below

Registry record Grade F, identity unverified Pull the record →

This record as markdown: /tools/todos/scan-file-for-secrets.md

WHAT IT DOES

What scan_file_for_secrets does on Todos

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

RISK

Why scan_file_for_secrets is rated Low

This tool performs a read-only operation: it examines file contents to detect patterns (secrets) but does not modify, delete, or execute anything. It is a preventative security check that queries/analyzes local file data. The blast radius of misuse is minimal—at worst, an agent might scan the wrong file and report false positives, but no data is altered, deleted, or exposed by the tool itself.

From the tool's definition Tool name is 'scan_file_for_secrets' and description states it 'Scan[s] a local file for secret patterns before release or export.' The verb 'scan' indicates data retrieval and analysis without modification or execution of external commands.

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

RECOMMENDED RULE

The rule that runs scan_file_for_secrets safely

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: it sits between your AI agents and Todos, and checks every tool call against a rule you set before the call runs. Nothing changes on the server itself. For scan_file_for_secrets, this is the rule to start with:

scan_file_for_secrets Allowed

scan_file_for_secrets is read-only, so it stays allowed. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

View as policy code

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "scan_file_for_secrets": {}
  }
}

ALLOW ONLY THIS TOOL → Instant setup, no code required.

The button opens the PolicyLayer dashboard: create your workspace, connect Todos, apply this rule, and every scan_file_for_secrets call is checked against it from then on.

FAQ

Questions about scan_file_for_secrets

What does the scan_file_for_secrets tool do? +

Scan a local file for secret patterns before release or export. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Todos MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.

How do I enforce a policy on scan_file_for_secrets? +

Register the Todos MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for scan_file_for_secrets: 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 Todos. Nothing to install.

What risk level is scan_file_for_secrets? +

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

Can I rate-limit scan_file_for_secrets? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the scan_file_for_secrets 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 scan_file_for_secrets completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for scan_file_for_secrets. 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 scan_file_for_secrets? +

scan_file_for_secrets is provided by the Todos MCP server (@hasna/todos). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

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