Performs web searches using the Brave Search API and returns comprehensive search results with rich metadata. When to use: - General web searches for information, facts, or current topics - Location-based queries (restaurants, businesses, points of interest) - News searches for recent events or b...
Risk signalsAccepts freeform code/query input (query) · High parameter count (15 properties)
Part of the Brave Search server.
Free to start. No card required.
AI agents call brave_web_search to retrieve information from Brave Search 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 brave_web_search 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": {
"brave_web_search": {}
}
}See the full Brave Search policy for all 6 tools.
These attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access brave_web_search 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.
Performs web searches using the Brave Search API and returns comprehensive search results with rich metadata. When to use: - General web searches for information, facts, or current topics - Location-based queries (restaurants, businesses, points of interest) - News searches for recent events or breaking stories - Finding videos, discussions, or FAQ content - Research requiring diverse result types (web pages, images, reviews, etc.) Returns a JSON list of web results with title, description, and URL. When the "results_filter" parameter is empty, JSON results may also contain FAQ, Discussions, News, and Video results.. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Brave Search MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Brave Search MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for brave_web_search: 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 Brave Search. Nothing to install.
brave_web_search 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 brave_web_search 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 brave_web_search. 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.
brave_web_search is provided by the Brave Search MCP server (brave/brave-search-mcp-server). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Deterministic rules across all 6 Brave Search tools. Per-identity grants. Full audit log. Live in minutes. Nothing to install.
Free to start. No card required.
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