list_directory

THE RISK

Low Risk

Why list_directory needs a policy

This tool retrieves information about file system contents without creating, modifying, deleting, or executing anything. It is a straightforward read operation with minimal security risk.

From the tool's definition Tool name 'list_directory' and description 'List files and directories' indicate a query/retrieval operation with no modification or side effects.

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 Awesome-MCP-Scaffold, 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 Awesome-MCP-Scaffold — 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 Awesome-MCP-Scaffold tools

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All 24 Awesome-MCP-Scaffold 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. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Awesome-MCP-Scaffold MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.

How do I enforce a policy on list_directory? +

Register the Awesome-MCP-Scaffold 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 Awesome-MCP-Scaffold. 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 Awesome-MCP-Scaffold MCP server (ww-ai-lab/awesome-mcp-scaffold). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every Awesome-MCP-Scaffold tool call.

Start from Awesome-MCP-Scaffold, add the rest of your stack, and see everything your agents can call. Then put policy on all of it.

CHECK YOUR STACK →