diff --git a/source/coral/files.cpp b/source/coral/files.cpp
index d9ba825..181ccf9 100644
--- a/source/coral/files.cpp
+++ b/source/coral/files.cpp
@@ -132,6 +132,11 @@ export namespace coral {
 		 */
 		virtual void read_file(path const & file_path, callable<void(file_reader &)> const & then) = 0;
 
+		/**
+		 * Returns the [io_rules] that this file system interface abides by.
+		 */
+		virtual io_rules rules() = 0;
+
 		/**
 		 * Attempts to write the file in the file system located at `file_path` relative, calling
 		 * `then` if it was successfully opened for writing.