get_related_notes

THE RISK

Low Risk

Why get_related_notes needs a policy

This tool retrieves related notes from an Obsidian vault based on a specified note. It performs a read-only query operation similar to a knowledge graph lookup or search function. There is no data creation, modification, deletion, or execution of commands.

From the tool's definition Tool name 'get_related_notes' and description 'Get notes related to a specific note' indicate retrieval/querying of data with no modification or side effects.

Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access get_related_notes gives an agent:

POLICY

How to control get_related_notes

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and Obsidian MCP Server, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for get_related_notes:

policy.json

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

get_related_notes is read-only, so it stays allowed — but everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

Create a free account and register Obsidian MCP Server — nothing to install.
Add this policy — paste it, or build it visually.
Point your MCP client (Claude, Cursor, anything) at your gateway URL.

CAP THIS TOOL →

Free to start. No card required.

EXPLORE

Related tools and policies

More Obsidian MCP Server tools

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All 29 Obsidian MCP Server tools →

Read tools on other servers

M-Team MCP Server get_torrent_detail YouTube MCP Server search_channel Android Forensics ADB MCP Server parse_browser_history 0xarchive web3_challenge

Go deeper

The MCP Attack Database → Documented attack patterns against MCP deployments — and the policies that stop them.
Data exfiltration → How read access becomes an exfiltration channel when chained with untrusted content.
MCP token cost → What connecting this server costs in context-window tokens on every request.
Rate Limiting MCP Tool Calls: A Practical Guide →
MCP Security: Why Prompt Guardrails Aren't Enough →

FAQ

Questions about get_related_notes

What does the get_related_notes tool do? +

Get notes related to a specific note. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Obsidian MCP Server MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.

How do I enforce a policy on get_related_notes? +

Register the Obsidian MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for get_related_notes: 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 Obsidian MCP Server. Nothing to install.

What risk level is get_related_notes? +

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

Can I rate-limit get_related_notes? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the get_related_notes 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 get_related_notes completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for get_related_notes. 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 get_related_notes? +

get_related_notes is provided by the Obsidian MCP Server MCP server (bazylhorsey/obsidian-mcp-server). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every Obsidian MCP Server tool call.

Start from Obsidian MCP Server, add the rest of your stack, and see everything your agents can call. Then put policy on all of it.

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