retrieve_media_file

A read tool on the Anki MCP server.

SERVERAnki SOURCE@arielbk/anki-mcp

Low RISK CLASS

Category Read

Parameters 00 required

Recommended Allowedsee the rule below

Registry record Grade F, identity unverified Pull the record →

This record as markdown: /tools/io-github-arielbk-anki-mcp/retrieve-media-file.md

WHAT IT DOES

What retrieve_media_file does on Anki

AI agents call retrieve_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.

RISK

Why retrieve_media_file is rated Low

The verb 'retrieve' denotes a read operation. In the context of an Anki MCP server, retrieving media files (images, audio, etc.) associated with flashcards is a non-destructive query operation. No data is created, modified, or deleted. The empty description lowers confidence slightly, but the name is sufficiently clear that this is a retrieval action.

From the tool's definition Tool name 'retrieve_media_file' indicates data retrieval with no modification. The description is empty, but the name suggests fetching stored media without side effects.

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

RECOMMENDED RULE

The rule that runs retrieve_media_file 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 retrieve_media_file, this is the rule to start with:

retrieve_media_file Allowed

retrieve_media_file is read-only, so it stays allowed. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

View as policy code

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "retrieve_media_file": {}
  }
}

ALLOW ONLY THIS TOOL → Instant setup, no code required.

The button opens the PolicyLayer dashboard: create your workspace, connect Anki, apply this rule, and every retrieve_media_file call is checked against it from then on.

FAQ

Questions about retrieve_media_file

What does the retrieve_media_file tool do? +

retrieve_media_file 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.

How do I enforce a policy on retrieve_media_file? +

Register the Anki MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for retrieve_media_file: 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.

What risk level is retrieve_media_file? +

retrieve_media_file is a Read tool with low risk. Read-only tools are generally safe to allow by default.

Can I rate-limit retrieve_media_file? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the retrieve_media_file 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.

How do I block retrieve_media_file completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for retrieve_media_file. 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.

What MCP server provides retrieve_media_file? +

retrieve_media_file 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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