Walk the citation graph one hop from a seed work. Direction picks the edge: incoming citations (cites), the seed's own references (cited_by), or OpenAlex's algorithmically-related works (related_to). Note: direction follows OpenAlex's filter convention, which inverts the common English reading — ...
Part of the Openalex server.
Free to start. No card required.
AI agents call openalex_get_citation_graph to retrieve information from Openalex without modifying any data. This is common in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows where the agent needs context before taking action. Because read operations don't change state, they are generally safe to allow without restrictions -- but you may still want rate limits to control API costs.
Even though openalex_get_citation_graph only reads data, uncontrolled read access can leak sensitive information or rack up API costs. An agent caught in a retry loop could make thousands of calls per minute. A rate limit gives you a safety net without blocking legitimate use.
Read-only tools are safe to allow by default. No rate limit needed unless you want to control costs.
{
"version": "1",
"default": "deny",
"tools": {
"openalex_get_citation_graph": {}
}
}See the full Openalex policy for all 4 tools.
These attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access openalex_get_citation_graph gives an agent. Each links to the full case and the policy that stops it:
Other read tools across the catalogue. The same approach applies to each: allow, with a rate cap to control cost.
Walk the citation graph one hop from a seed work. Direction picks the edge: incoming citations (cites), the seed's own references (cited_by), or OpenAlex's algorithmically-related works (related_to). Note: direction follows OpenAlex's filter convention, which inverts the common English reading — cites returns works that cite the seed; cited_by returns works the seed cites. Results use the works schema; combine with filters/sort to narrow further.. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Openalex MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Openalex MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for openalex_get_citation_graph: 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 Openalex. Nothing to install.
openalex_get_citation_graph 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 openalex_get_citation_graph 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 openalex_get_citation_graph. 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.
openalex_get_citation_graph is provided by the Openalex MCP server (cyanheads/openalex-mcp-server). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Deterministic rules across all 4 Openalex tools. Per-identity grants. Full audit log. Live in minutes. Nothing to install.
Free to start. No card required.
4,600+ MCP servers and 31,000+ tools scanned and risk-classified.