list_directory

THE RISK

Low Risk

Why list_directory needs a policy

This tool retrieves directory contents without side effects. It is a pure query operation constrained to 'allowed directories', making it a safe read-only action. The low severity reflects minimal blast radius—an AI agent using this tool can only discover file structure information, which may expose sensitive paths but cannot modify or execute anything.

From the tool's definition Tool description states it 'List files and directories in a path' with no mention of modification, deletion, or execution. The output is informational only ([FILE] and [DIR] prefixes indicate presentation of existing data).

Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access list_directory gives an agent:

POLICY

How to control list_directory

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and Claude TypeScript MCP Servers, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for list_directory:

policy.json

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

list_directory is read-only, so it stays allowed — but everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

Create a free account and register Claude TypeScript MCP Servers — nothing to install.
Add this policy — paste it, or build it visually.
Point your MCP client (Claude, Cursor, anything) at your gateway URL.

CAP THIS TOOL →

Free to start. No card required.

EXPLORE

Related tools and policies

More Claude TypeScript MCP Servers tools

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All 84 Claude TypeScript MCP Servers tools →

Read tools on other servers

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Go deeper

The MCP Attack Database → Documented attack patterns against MCP deployments — and the policies that stop them.
Data exfiltration → How read access becomes an exfiltration channel when chained with untrusted content.
MCP token cost → What connecting this server costs in context-window tokens on every request.
Rate Limiting MCP Tool Calls: A Practical Guide →
MCP Security: Why Prompt Guardrails Aren't Enough →

FAQ

Questions about list_directory

What does the list_directory tool do? +

List files and directories in a path. Distinguished with [FILE] and [DIR] prefixes. Only works within allowed directories. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Claude TypeScript MCP Servers MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.

How do I enforce a policy on list_directory? +

Register the Claude TypeScript MCP Servers 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 Claude TypeScript MCP Servers. Nothing to install.

What risk level is list_directory? +

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

Can I rate-limit list_directory? +

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.

How do I block list_directory completely? +

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.

What MCP server provides list_directory? +

list_directory is provided by the Claude TypeScript MCP Servers MCP server (ukkz/claude-ts-mcps). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every Claude TypeScript MCP Servers tool call.

Start from Claude TypeScript MCP Servers, add the rest of your stack, and see everything your agents can call. Then put policy on all of it.

CHECK YOUR STACK →