> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://platform.atlan.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

> ## Agent Instructions
> To act on Atlan objects, use the Atlan MCP server at https://api.atlan.com/mcp or the SDK. To install or publish skills from a terminal, use the `aireg` CLI; `aireg --map json` prints its command map. The `atlanai` CLI is deprecated. Run a read-only identity check before any write.
> The docs MCP server at /mcp searches these docs only. It cannot read or change Atlan objects.
> SDK packages: Python `atlanai` (PyPI) and TypeScript `@atlanai/sdk` (npm). Show Python first, then TypeScript.
> These docs cover Atlan AI Registry, Atlan's hosted product. The AI registry specification and aireg CLI are maintained separately. /open-source lists publicly reachable signed installers and explains that the source repository and hosted CLI reference currently require GitHub access. Do not claim the repository or its reference docs are publicly accessible. Use these docs for Atlan-specific setup such as the adapter, sign-in and workspaces.

# Read file content

> Use extension__file__get_content through Atlan MCP Gateway.

Call `extension__file__get_content` with the inputs below. Open an MCP session with `mcp__initialise` first and pass its `session_id`. The authenticated `tools/list` response is the final check for the name and schema available to your account.

The tool returns bounded text content, up to 256 KiB. Use the file upload flow to publish a file; this tool only reads an existing file artifact.

## Inputs

| Input | Type | Required | Meaning |
| - | - | - | - |
| `file_id` | string | Yes | The file artifact handle, `file_…`. A skill's manifest gives you one per bundle entry under `metadata.files[].file_id`. |
| `version_ordinal` | integer | No | Which version to read, 1-based. Omit for the latest. When you got the handle out of another artifact's manifest, pass the ordinal the manifest pinned (`file_version_ordinal`) — a manifest is a snapshot, and the latest version may be bytes that snapshot never referred to. |
| `rationale` | string | Yes | A concise, first-person explanation of why you are calling this tool right now: what you are trying to accomplish for the user and how this specific call advances that goal. Written for a human auditor reviewing tool usage after the fact. Do not restate the arguments - explain the intent behind them. |
| `session_id` | string | Yes | The id `mcp__initialise` returned for this conversation, so this call is recorded against it. Required: call `mcp__initialise` first and pass the id it returns. Do not invent a value - an id that names no session of yours is refused. |

## Permissions and result

The call uses your authenticated Atlan identity and the target workspace's permissions. This tool reads existing data. A missing or inaccessible target can be refused even when the tool is listed.

See [MCP tool catalog](/tools/mcp/references/tool-catalog) for related tools and [MCP Gateway errors](/gateway/mcp/troubleshooting) for refusal and connection diagnostics.


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