list_notes
Lists notes from Apple Notes app. Optionally filter by folder.
This record as markdown: /tools/com-local-mcp-local-mcp/list-notes.md
What list_notes does on Local
AI agents call list_notes to retrieve information from Local without modifying anything. It is typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
| Parameter | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
limit | integer | — | |
folder | string | — |
Parameters from the server's own tool schema.
Why list_notes is rated Low
This tool retrieves and queries data from the Apple Notes app without creating, modifying, deleting, or executing anything. It matches the 'Read' category definition: 'retrieves or queries data; no side effects (search, list, get, fetch).' The 'optionally filter' clause confirms it is purely a data retrieval operation.
From the tool's definition Tool name 'list_notes' and description 'Lists notes from Apple Notes app' indicate a retrieval operation with no modification or deletion. The word 'lists' and 'filter' are characteristic of read-only query operations.
Risk signalsAccepts file system path (folder)
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
The rule that runs list_notes safely
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: it sits between your AI agents and Local, and checks every tool call against a rule you set before the call runs. Nothing changes on the server itself. For list_notes, this is the rule to start with:
list_notes 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 Local, apply this rule, and every list_notes call is checked against it from then on.
Questions about list_notes
Lists notes from Apple Notes app. Optionally filter by folder. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Local MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
list_notes accepts 2 parameters: limit, folder. The full parameter table on this page comes from the server's own tool schema.
Register the Local MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for list_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 Local. Nothing to install.
list_notes 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 list_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.
Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for list_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.
list_notes is provided by the Local MCP server (local-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
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