make_barcode
utilpeek: make a 1-D barcode image. For QR codes use make_qr_code; to find the product behind a number use lookup_barcode_product. Returns svg (text, with width_mm/height_mm) or data_base64 (PNG, with width_px/height_px; output "url": a 24 h link), plus encoded and bytes. A supplied check digit (...
This record as markdown: /tools/dev-tanod-tanod/make-barcode.md
What make_barcode does on Tanod
AI agents call make_barcode to retrieve information from Tanod 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
data | string | Yes | Value to encode (see the type rules). |
text | boolean | — | Print the human-readable line (default true). |
type | string | — | Symbology (default code128). |
format | string | — | svg (text) or png (base64). |
output | string | — | base64 (default): inline. url: stored for 24 hours; link, metadata. |
Parameters from the server's own tool schema.
Why make_barcode is rated Low
Even though make_barcode only reads data, uncontrolled read access leaks sensitive information and racks up API costs: an agent caught in a retry loop can make thousands of calls a minute without anyone noticing.
Risk signalsBulk/mass operation — affects multiple targets
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
The rule that runs make_barcode safely
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: it sits between your AI agents and Tanod, and checks every tool call against a rule you set before the call runs. Nothing changes on the server itself. For make_barcode, this is the rule to start with:
make_barcode 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 Tanod, apply this rule, and every make_barcode call is checked against it from then on.
Questions about make_barcode
utilpeek: make a 1-D barcode image. For QR codes use make_qr_code; to find the product behind a number use lookup_barcode_product. Returns svg (text, with width_mm/height_mm) or data_base64 (PNG, with width_px/height_px; output "url": a 24 h link), plus encoded and bytes. A supplied check digit (ean13, ean8, upca, isbn13) must be right: a wrong one is a 422 invalid_checksum (not charged) rather than silently encoding a different number. Every output is decoded again with an independent reader (ZXing-C++): the answer carries verified: true and decoded_text, and a symbol that does not decode to the requested value is a 500 verify_failed (not charged). Encoded locally; typically under 0.1 s. Price: USD 0.001. Free: 10 utilpeek calls per IP per UTC day. Docs: https://tanod.dev/learn/barcode-generator-api.html. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Tanod MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
make_barcode accepts 5 parameters: data, text, type, format, output. Required: data. The full parameter table on this page comes from the server's own tool schema.
Register the Tanod MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for make_barcode: 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 Tanod. Nothing to install.
make_barcode 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 make_barcode 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 make_barcode. 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.
make_barcode is provided by the Tanod MCP server (https://tanod.dev/mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
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