openalex-get-author
Fetch a single OpenAlex author by id (A-id, ORCID, or full URL).
This record as markdown: /tools/io-github-derekslinz-meta-data-mcp/openalex-get-author.md
What openalex-get-author does on Meta Data Mcp
AI agents call openalex-get-author to retrieve information from Meta Data Mcp without modifying anything. It is typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
Why openalex-get-author is rated Low
This tool retrieves bibliographic metadata about a single author from the OpenAlex open data API. It performs a query operation with no ability to modify, delete, or execute external operations. The data returned is read-only public scientific metadata. Blast radius of misuse is minimal—excessive calls might trigger rate limits, but no data can be altered or financial transactions triggered.
From the tool's definition Tool description states 'Fetch a single OpenAlex author by id', using the verb 'Fetch' which retrieves data without modification or side effects.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
The rule that runs openalex-get-author safely
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: it sits between your AI agents and Meta Data Mcp, and checks every tool call against a rule you set before the call runs. Nothing changes on the server itself. For openalex-get-author, this is the rule to start with:
openalex-get-author 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 Meta Data Mcp, apply this rule, and every openalex-get-author call is checked against it from then on.
Questions about openalex-get-author
Fetch a single OpenAlex author by id (A-id, ORCID, or full URL). It is categorised as a Read tool in the Meta Data Mcp MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Meta Data MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for openalex-get-author: 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 Meta Data Mcp. Nothing to install.
openalex-get-author 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-author 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-author. 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-author is provided by the Meta Data MCP server (pypi:meta-data-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
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