roam_search_block_refs
Search for block references within a page or across the entire graph. Can search for references to a specific block, a page title, or find all block references.
This record as markdown: /tools/2b3pro-roam-research-mcp/roam-search-block-refs.md
What roam_search_block_refs does on Roam Research
AI agents call roam_search_block_refs to retrieve information from Roam Research without modifying anything. It is typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
Why roam_search_block_refs is rated Low
The tool retrieves or queries existing block reference data across the Roam Research graph without creating, modifying, deleting, or executing any operations. It is a pure read/search function with no side effects. The low severity reflects that searching for references poses minimal risk even if misused by an AI agent, as it only exposes existing information that the user has access to.
From the tool's definition Tool performs search operations for block references without modifying data. Description explicitly states it 'search[es] for block references' and 'find[s] all block references' - retrieval operations only.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
The rule that runs roam_search_block_refs safely
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: it sits between your AI agents and Roam Research, and checks every tool call against a rule you set before the call runs. Nothing changes on the server itself. For roam_search_block_refs, this is the rule to start with:
roam_search_block_refs is read-only, so it stays allowed. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.
The button opens the PolicyLayer dashboard: create your workspace, connect Roam Research, apply this rule, and every roam_search_block_refs call is checked against it from then on.
Questions about roam_search_block_refs
Search for block references within a page or across the entire graph. Can search for references to a specific block, a page title, or find all block references. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Roam Research MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Roam Research MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for roam_search_block_refs: 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 Roam Research. Nothing to install.
roam_search_block_refs 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 roam_search_block_refs 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 roam_search_block_refs. 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.
roam_search_block_refs is provided by the Roam Research MCP server (2b3pro/roam-research-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
More on Roam Research, and thousands of servers like it.
This server
Across the catalogue