list_categories
Return every Agent Papers category with counts and short descriptions so an agent can choose the right comparison surface.
This record as markdown: /tools/dev-agentpapers-agent-papers/list-categories.md
What list_categories does on Agent Papers
AI agents call list_categories to retrieve information from Agent Papers without modifying anything. It is typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
Why list_categories is rated Low
list_categories is a read-only operation that retrieves metadata about available categories. It has no side effects, does not modify data, and does not execute code or trigger external actions. The blast radius is minimal—an agent can only discover what categories exist and their descriptions, which is non-sensitive structural information.
From the tool's definition Tool returns category listings with counts and descriptions; purely informational with no modification, deletion, or execution of external operations.
Risk signalsBulk/mass operation — affects multiple targets
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
The rule that runs list_categories safely
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: it sits between your AI agents and Agent Papers, and checks every tool call against a rule you set before the call runs. Nothing changes on the server itself. For list_categories, this is the rule to start with:
list_categories 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 Agent Papers, apply this rule, and every list_categories call is checked against it from then on.
Questions about list_categories
Return every Agent Papers category with counts and short descriptions so an agent can choose the right comparison surface. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Agent Papers MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Agent Papers MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for list_categories: 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 Agent Papers. Nothing to install.
list_categories 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_categories 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_categories. 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_categories is provided by the Agent Papers MCP server (https://agentpapers.dev/api/mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
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