find_similar_figure
[MAINTENANCE] c623e648 — fuzzy-match a free-text description OR a file path against every figure already indexed (index_figure) for one stored document, best match first. Each result carries the stored figure row PLUS a difflib similarity score (0..1) — the better of the match against its normali...
This record as markdown: /tools/io-github-ajc3xc-meridian/find-similar-figure.md
What find_similar_figure does on Meridian
AI agents call find_similar_figure to retrieve information from Meridian 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
doc | string | Yes | The stored document's source (the path/URL you ingested it under via ingest_document, which registers a docx/latex document in the doc-structure store). |
limit | integer | — | Max matches to return (default 5). |
project_id | string | — | |
outputs_dir | string | — | d2a3537a — optional outputs tree root. When given, each matched figure resolves THROUGH to its outputs_index row (linked_output) by file_path. Omit for a pure f |
project_name | string | — | Project name — an alternative to project_id; resolved to the id internally. project_id wins if both are given. |
description_or_path | string | Yes | A free-text description OR a file path to fuzzy-match against this document's indexed figures. |
Parameters from the server's own tool schema.
Why find_similar_figure is rated Low
This is a read-only search/query operation with no side effects. It retrieves data from an index and returns matches sorted by relevance. The tool cannot create, modify, delete, or execute anything; it merely searches and returns results. The mention of '[MAINTENANCE]' and the utility of checking 'whether a figure is already present' confirms this is a lookup/verification tool.
From the tool's definition Tool performs a fuzzy-match search operation ('fuzzy-match a free-text description OR a file path against every figure already indexed') and returns matching results with similarity scores.
Risk signalsBulk/mass operation — affects multiple targets
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
The rule that runs find_similar_figure safely
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: it sits between your AI agents and Meridian, and checks every tool call against a rule you set before the call runs. Nothing changes on the server itself. For find_similar_figure, this is the rule to start with:
find_similar_figure 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 Meridian, apply this rule, and every find_similar_figure call is checked against it from then on.
Questions about find_similar_figure
[MAINTENANCE] c623e648 — fuzzy-match a free-text description OR a file path against every figure already indexed (index_figure) for one stored document, best match first. Each result carries the stored figure row PLUS a difflib similarity score (0..1) — the better of the match against its normalized_caption and against its file_path. Useful before index_figure to check whether a figure is already present under a slightly different caption or path. Returns {document_id, matches:[...]} — an empty list (never an error) when the document has no indexed figures, or doc doesn't resolve to a stored document. d2a3537a — pass outputs_dir to RESOLVE THROUGH to the outputs index: every matched figure with a file_path that names an already-indexed run output gains a linked_output field (the output's path, generating_script, canonical/archival flag, fingerprint), so 'does this plot already exist as a run output?' and 'where is it referenced in my thesis?' are one lookup (linked_output is null when the figure names no indexed output). It is categorised as a Read tool in the Meridian MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
find_similar_figure accepts 6 parameters: doc, limit, project_id, outputs_dir, project_name, description_or_path. Required: doc, description_or_path. The full parameter table on this page comes from the server's own tool schema.
Register the Meridian MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for find_similar_figure: 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 Meridian. Nothing to install.
find_similar_figure 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 find_similar_figure 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 find_similar_figure. 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.
find_similar_figure is provided by the Meridian MCP server (@meridianmcp/mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
More on Meridian, and thousands of servers like it.
This server
Across the catalogue