List all Python files in a directory. Args: directory_path: Path to directory (empty for working directory)
AI agents call list_directory to retrieve information from MCP Python Interpreter without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool queries and returns directory contents without modifying, deleting, or executing anything. It is a pure read operation analogous to 'ls' or 'find' commands used for discovery and introspection only.
From the tool's definition Tool name 'list_directory' and description 'List all Python files in a directory' indicate a retrieval operation with no side effects.
Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access list_directory gives an agent:
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and MCP Python Interpreter, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for list_directory:
{
"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.
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List all Python files in a directory. Args: directory_path: Path to directory (empty for working directory). It is categorised as a Read tool in the MCP Python Interpreter MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the MCP Python Interpreter 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 MCP Python Interpreter. Nothing to install.
list_directory 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 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.
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.
list_directory is provided by the MCP Python Interpreter MCP server (yzfly/mcp-python-interpreter). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Deterministic rules across all 10 MCP Python Interpreter tools. Per-identity grants. Full audit log. Live in minutes. Nothing to install.
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10 MCP Python Interpreter tools catalogued and risk-classified — across an index of 42,500+ MCP servers.