# get_media_file

Retrieve one named Anki media file as base64 data and, for images, as MCP image content that compatible clients can inspect. Use this when an agent needs the actual contents of a referenced media asset, not when it only needs media names or storage operations; those belong in

Agent View of the PolicyLayer registry record for `get_media_file`. HTML page: https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-arielbk-anki-mcp/get-media-file

## Facts

- Tool: `get_media_file`
- Server: Anki (`@arielbk/anki-mcp`) — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-arielbk-anki-mcp.md
- Install: `npx -y @arielbk/anki-mcp`
- Homepage: https://github.com/arielbk/anki-mcp
- Risk category: Read (Low risk)
- Registry record: grade F, identity unverified
- Server rate-limited: no
- Parameters: 0
- Recommended policy verdict: Allowed

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

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

## Why get_media_file is rated Low

The tool retrieves and reads existing media files from Anki's storage. It does not modify, delete, execute, or move money. The action is non-destructive and has no side effects beyond returning the file contents. This is a straightforward Read operation.

From the tool's own definition: "Tool description states it will 'Retrieve one named Anki media file as base64 data' - retrieval of data with no side effects on the media itself."

## Use case

AI agents call get_media_file 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.

## Recommended policy (PolicyLayer)

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

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

## Other tools on Anki (97)

- `clear_unused_tags` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-arielbk-anki-mcp/clear-unused-tags.md
- `delete_decks` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-arielbk-anki-mcp/delete-decks.md
- `delete_media_file` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-arielbk-anki-mcp/delete-media-file.md
- `delete_notes` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-arielbk-anki-mcp/delete-notes.md
- `gui_exit_anki` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-arielbk-anki-mcp/gui-exit-anki.md
- `manage_decks` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-arielbk-anki-mcp/manage-decks.md
- `model_field_remove` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-arielbk-anki-mcp/model-field-remove.md
- `model_template_remove` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-arielbk-anki-mcp/model-template-remove.md
- `remove_deck_config` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-arielbk-anki-mcp/remove-deck-config.md
- `remove_empty_notes` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-arielbk-anki-mcp/remove-empty-notes.md
- `anki_operations` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-arielbk-anki-mcp/anki-operations.md
- `gui_answer_card` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-arielbk-anki-mcp/gui-answer-card.md
- `gui_deck_browser` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-arielbk-anki-mcp/gui-deck-browser.md
- `gui_deck_review` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-arielbk-anki-mcp/gui-deck-review.md
- `gui_select_card` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-arielbk-anki-mcp/gui-select-card.md
- `gui_select_note` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-arielbk-anki-mcp/gui-select-note.md
- `gui_show_answer` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-arielbk-anki-mcp/gui-show-answer.md
- `gui_show_question` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-arielbk-anki-mcp/gui-show-question.md
- `gui_start_card_timer` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-arielbk-anki-mcp/gui-start-card-timer.md
- `relearn_cards` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-arielbk-anki-mcp/relearn-cards.md
- `reload_collection` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-arielbk-anki-mcp/reload-collection.md
- `study_session` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-arielbk-anki-mcp/study-session.md
- `api_reflect` — Other — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-arielbk-anki-mcp/api-reflect.md
- `card_reviews` — Other — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-arielbk-anki-mcp/card-reviews.md
- `export_package` — Other — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-arielbk-anki-mcp/export-package.md
- `gui_browse` — Other — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-arielbk-anki-mcp/gui-browse.md
- `gui_undo` — Other — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-arielbk-anki-mcp/gui-undo.md
- `multi` — Other — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-arielbk-anki-mcp/multi.md
- `request_permission` — Other — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-arielbk-anki-mcp/request-permission.md
- `sync` — Other — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-arielbk-anki-mcp/sync.md
- …and 67 more: https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-arielbk-anki-mcp.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-arielbk-anki-mcp · API: https://policylayer.com/registry/api · Policy library: https://policylayer.com/policies/io-github-arielbk-anki-mcp