Get metadata for a file. Args: project: Project name path: File path relative to project root Returns: File metadata
AI agents call get_file_metadata to retrieve information from Tree Sitter without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool queries and retrieves file metadata (likely timestamps, permissions, size, encoding, etc.) from a codebase analysis context. It performs a read-only operation with no destructive, financial, or execution consequences. The blast radius of misuse is minimal—an agent could only retrieve information already accessible within the project scope.
From the tool's definition Tool name 'get_file_metadata' and description 'Get metadata for a file' indicate a retrieval operation with no modification or side effects. Returns 'File metadata' without creating, updating, or deleting data.
Risk signalsAdmin/system-level operation
Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access get_file_metadata gives an agent:
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and Tree Sitter, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for get_file_metadata:
{
"version": "1",
"default": "deny",
"tools": {
"get_file_metadata": {}
}
}get_file_metadata is read-only, so it stays allowed — but everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.
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Get metadata for a file. Args: project: Project name path: File path relative to project root Returns: File metadata. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Tree Sitter MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Tree Sitter MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for get_file_metadata: 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 Tree Sitter. Nothing to install.
get_file_metadata 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 get_file_metadata 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 get_file_metadata. 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.
get_file_metadata is provided by the Tree Sitter MCP server (wrale/mcp-server-tree-sitter). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Deterministic rules across all 26 Tree Sitter tools. Per-identity grants. Full audit log. Live in minutes. Nothing to install.
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26 Tree Sitter tools catalogued and risk-classified — across an index of 42,500+ MCP servers.