Search AWS documentation using the official AWS Documentation Search API. ## Usage This tool searches across all AWS documentation and other AWS Websites including AWS Blog, AWS Solutions Library, Getting started with AWS, AWS Architecture Center and AWS Prescriptive Guidance for pages matching y...
Part of the AWS server.
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AI agents call aws___search_documentation to retrieve information from AWS without modifying any data. This is common in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows where the agent needs context before taking action. Because read operations don't change state, they are generally safe to allow without restrictions -- but you may still want rate limits to control API costs.
Even though aws___search_documentation only reads data, uncontrolled read access can leak sensitive information or rack up API costs. An agent caught in a retry loop could make thousands of calls per minute. A rate limit gives you a safety net without blocking legitimate use.
Read-only tools are safe to allow by default. No rate limit needed unless you want to control costs.
{
"version": "1",
"default": "deny",
"tools": {
"aws___search_documentation": {}
}
}See the full AWS policy for all 58 tools.
These attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access aws___search_documentation gives an agent. Each links to the full case and the policy that stops it:
Other read tools across the catalogue. The same approach applies to each: allow, with a rate cap to control cost.
Search AWS documentation using the official AWS Documentation Search API. ## Usage This tool searches across all AWS documentation and other AWS Websites including AWS Blog, AWS Solutions Library, Getting started with AWS, AWS Architecture Center and AWS Prescriptive Guidance for pages matching your search phrase. Use it to find relevant documentation when you don't have a specific URL. ## Search Tips - Use specific technical terms rather than general phrases - Include service names to narrow results (e.g., "S3 bucket versioning" instead of just "versioning") - Use quotes for exact phrase matching (e.g., "AWS Lambda function URLs") - Include abbreviations and alternative terms to improve results ## Result Interpretation Each result includes: - rank_order: The relevance ranking (lower is more relevant) - url: The documentation page URL - title: The page title - context: A brief excerpt or summary (if available). It is categorised as a Read tool in the AWS MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the AWS MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for aws___search_documentation: 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 AWS. Nothing to install.
aws___search_documentation 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 aws___search_documentation 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 aws___search_documentation. 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.
aws___search_documentation is provided by the AWS MCP server (@awslabs/mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Deterministic rules across all 58 AWS tools. Per-identity grants. Full audit log. Live in minutes. Nothing to install.
Free to start. No card required.
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