Check for file changes since a specific time. Due to MCP constraints, this is a one-time check, not continuous monitoring. Returns list of changed files.
AI agents call watch_file to retrieve information from Claude TypeScript MCP Servers without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
The tool queries the filesystem to detect which files have changed since a given timestamp. This is a passive read operation with no side effects. Even though it monitors file state, it only returns data and cannot modify, execute code, or trigger destructive operations. The low severity reflects minimal blast radius: misuse would only expose information about file changes, not compromise system integrity or data.
From the tool's definition Tool performs a one-time check and 'Returns list of changed files' — it retrieves information about file changes without modifying, executing, or deleting data.
Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access watch_file gives an agent:
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 watch_file:
{
"version": "1",
"default": "deny",
"tools": {
"watch_file": {}
}
}watch_file is read-only, so it stays allowed — but everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.
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Check for file changes since a specific time. Due to MCP constraints, this is a one-time check, not continuous monitoring. Returns list of changed files. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Claude TypeScript MCP Servers MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Claude TypeScript MCP Servers MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for watch_file: 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.
watch_file 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 watch_file 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 watch_file. 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.
watch_file 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.
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.
Free to start. No card required.
84 Claude TypeScript MCP Servers tools catalogued and risk-classified — across an index of 43,000+ MCP servers.