download_file

Download a file from Google Drive to the local filesystem. For Google Docs/Sheets/Slides, use export_doc or export_sheet instead.

SERVERGoogle SOURCEztgluis/google-mcp

Low RISK CLASS

Category Read

Parameters 00 required

Recommended Allowedsee the rule below

Registry record Grade F, identity unverified Pull the record →

This record as markdown: /tools/ztgluis-google-mcp/download-file.md

WHAT IT DOES

What download_file does on Google

AI agents call download_file to retrieve information from Google without modifying anything. It is typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.

RISK

Why download_file is rated Low

Even though download_file only reads data, uncontrolled read access leaks sensitive information and racks up API costs: an agent caught in a retry loop can make thousands of calls a minute without anyone noticing.

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

RECOMMENDED RULE

The rule that runs download_file safely

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: it sits between your AI agents and Google, and checks every tool call against a rule you set before the call runs. Nothing changes on the server itself. For download_file, this is the rule to start with:

download_file Allowed

download_file is read-only, so it stays allowed. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

View as policy code

policy.json

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

ALLOW ONLY THIS TOOL → Instant setup, no code required.

The button opens the PolicyLayer dashboard: create your workspace, connect Google, apply this rule, and every download_file call is checked against it from then on.

FAQ

Questions about download_file

What does the download_file tool do? +

Download a file from Google Drive to the local filesystem. For Google Docs/Sheets/Slides, use export_doc or export_sheet instead. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Google MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.

How do I enforce a policy on download_file? +

Register the Google MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for download_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 Google. Nothing to install.

What risk level is download_file? +

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

Can I rate-limit download_file? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the download_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.

How do I block download_file completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for download_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.

What MCP server provides download_file? +

download_file is provided by the Google MCP server (ztgluis/google-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

KEEP EXPLORING

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