# get_context_block

[SUPPORT] Read-only: Return a compact project context block (north star, sprint, pending sprint items, recent tasks, recent decisions, active sessions) wrapped in a <meridian_context project_id="..." mode="..."> XML envelope for structured parsing by AI clients (v2.5+). The 'text' field in the response contains the XML-wrapped content. mode='full' (default) for Code Handoff into a fresh Claude Code session; mode='chat' for a shorter paste into a new claude.ai conversation. The HTTP route /projects/{id}/context-block returns the same content as unwrapped plain text.

Agent View of the PolicyLayer registry record for `get_context_block`. HTML page: https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-ajc3xc-meridian/get-context-block

## Facts

- Tool: `get_context_block`
- Server: Meridian (`@meridianmcp/mcp`) — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-ajc3xc-meridian.md
- Install: `npx -y @meridianmcp/mcp`
- Homepage: https://github.com/meridianmcp/Meridian
- Risk category: Read (Low risk)
- Registry record: grade F, identity unverified
- Server auth posture: open
- Server CORS policy: *
- Server rate-limited: no
- Parameters: 3
- Recommended policy verdict: Allowed

## Parameters

| Parameter | Type | Required | Description |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `mode` | string | no |  |
| `project_id` | string | no |  |
| `project_name` | string | no | Project name — an alternative to project_id; resolved to the id internally. project_id wins if both are given. |

Parameters from the server's own tool schema.

## Example call (MCP tools/call, JSON-RPC 2.0)

```json
{
  "jsonrpc": "2.0",
  "id": 1,
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "name": "get_context_block",
    "arguments": {}
  }
}
```

## Why get_context_block is rated Low

This tool purely retrieves and formats existing project metadata (north star, sprint, tasks, decisions, sessions) for display to AI clients. It has no capacity to create, modify, delete, or execute operations—it only queries and returns data in a structured XML format. The explicit 'Read-only' designation confirms it belongs in the Read category.

From the tool's own definition: "Tool description explicitly states 'Read-only: Return a compact project context block' and the operation retrieves project context without modification or side effects."

## Use case

AI agents call get_context_block 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.

## Recommended policy (PolicyLayer)

Verdict: **Allowed**. Enforced by the PolicyLayer MCP gateway (https://policylayer.com/mcp-gateway) before a call reaches Meridian:

```json
{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "get_context_block": {}
  }
}
```

## Other tools on Meridian (174)

- `archive_decision` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-ajc3xc-meridian/archive-decision.md
- `batch_mutate` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-ajc3xc-meridian/batch-mutate.md
- `claim_sprint_item` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-ajc3xc-meridian/claim-sprint-item.md
- `clear_capability_profile` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-ajc3xc-meridian/clear-capability-profile.md
- `clone_profile_layer` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-ajc3xc-meridian/clone-profile-layer.md
- `delete_custom_hook` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-ajc3xc-meridian/delete-custom-hook.md
- `delete_note` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-ajc3xc-meridian/delete-note.md
- `delete_sprint_item_pointer` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-ajc3xc-meridian/delete-sprint-item-pointer.md
- `fan_out_sprint_items` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-ajc3xc-meridian/fan-out-sprint-items.md
- `purge_ai_log` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-ajc3xc-meridian/purge-ai-log.md
- `record_handoff_correction` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-ajc3xc-meridian/record-handoff-correction.md
- `release_docx_region_claims` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-ajc3xc-meridian/release-docx-region-claims.md
- `request_hitl` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-ajc3xc-meridian/request-hitl.md
- `reset_plugin_override` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-ajc3xc-meridian/reset-plugin-override.md
- `reset_profile_layer` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-ajc3xc-meridian/reset-profile-layer.md
- `complete_wave_gate` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-ajc3xc-meridian/complete-wave-gate.md
- `execute_batch` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-ajc3xc-meridian/execute-batch.md
- `prospect_symbol` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-ajc3xc-meridian/prospect-symbol.md
- `run_verification` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-ajc3xc-meridian/run-verification.md
- `start_session` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-ajc3xc-meridian/start-session.md
- `analyze_model_efficiency` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-ajc3xc-meridian/analyze-model-efficiency.md
- `analyze_sprint` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-ajc3xc-meridian/analyze-sprint.md
- `batch_read` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-ajc3xc-meridian/batch-read.md
- `find_outputs_by_source` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-ajc3xc-meridian/find-outputs-by-source.md
- `find_similar_equation` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-ajc3xc-meridian/find-similar-equation.md
- `find_similar_figure` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-ajc3xc-meridian/find-similar-figure.md
- `find_similar_table` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-ajc3xc-meridian/find-similar-table.md
- `find_symbol_usages` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-ajc3xc-meridian/find-symbol-usages.md
- `get_agent_instructions` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-ajc3xc-meridian/get-agent-instructions.md
- `get_blog_posts` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-ajc3xc-meridian/get-blog-posts.md
- …and 144 more: https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-ajc3xc-meridian.md

## For agents

This record is a snapshot. Live verdicts and the full registry:

- Check every server in your MCP config at once: `npx -y policylayer stack`
- Vet a server before you add it: install the mcp-precheck skill — `npx skills add https://policylayer.com` (skill text: https://policylayer.com/skill.md)
- Query the registry over MCP: endpoint `https://api.policylayer.com/mcp` — tools `check_mcp_server`, `check_mcp_stack`, `check_tool`, `search_registry`, `get_change_events`

---

Source: the PolicyLayer MCP registry — one continuously verified record per MCP server. Full record: https://policylayer.com/registry?q=io-github-ajc3xc-meridian · API: https://policylayer.com/registry/api · Policy library: https://policylayer.com/policies/io-github-ajc3xc-meridian
