This record as markdown: /tools/io-github-arielbk-anki-mcp/get-cards-mod-time.md
What get_cards_mod_time does on Anki
AI agents call get_cards_mod_time to retrieve information from Anki without modifying anything. It is typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
Why get_cards_mod_time is rated Low
This tool retrieves metadata (modification timestamps) about Anki flashcards. It performs a query operation with no capability to create, modify, delete, or execute external operations. The action is purely informational and read-only, making it the least risky category.
From the tool's definition Tool name 'get_cards_mod_time' indicates retrieval of card modification timestamps. The 'get_' prefix and 'mod_time' (modification time) suffix are characteristic of read operations that query existing data without side effects.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
The rule that runs get_cards_mod_time safely
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: it sits between your AI agents and Anki, and checks every tool call against a rule you set before the call runs. Nothing changes on the server itself. For get_cards_mod_time, this is the rule to start with:
get_cards_mod_time 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 Anki, apply this rule, and every get_cards_mod_time call is checked against it from then on.
Questions about get_cards_mod_time
get_cards_mod_time is a read tool on the Anki MCP server. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Anki MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Anki MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for get_cards_mod_time: 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 Anki. Nothing to install.
get_cards_mod_time 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 get_cards_mod_time 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 get_cards_mod_time. 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.
get_cards_mod_time is provided by the Anki MCP server (@arielbk/anki-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
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