# shortest_valid_path

Return the shortest valid workflow path for the stated objective.

Agent View of the PolicyLayer registry record for `shortest_valid_path`. HTML page: https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-homenshum-nodebench/shortest-valid-path

## Facts

- Tool: `shortest_valid_path`
- Server: Nodebench (`nodebench-mcp`) — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-homenshum-nodebench.md
- Install: `npx -y nodebench-mcp`
- Homepage: https://github.com/HomenShum/nodebench-ai
- 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": "shortest_valid_path",
    "arguments": {}
  }
}
```

## Why shortest_valid_path is rated Low

This tool queries or computes a path based on a stated objective and returns the result. It has no side effects: it does not create, modify, delete, execute code, or trigger external operations. The returned path is informational guidance, not an action executed by the tool itself. This fits the 'Read' category as a retrieval/query operation.

From the tool's own definition: "Tool name and description indicate it 'Return[s] the shortest valid workflow path' — a read operation that retrieves or queries data about workflow paths without modifying, executing, or deleting anything."

## Use case

AI agents call shortest_valid_path to retrieve information from Nodebench 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 Nodebench:

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

## Other tools on Nodebench (823)

- `abandon_cycle` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-homenshum-nodebench/abandon-cycle.md
- `archiveDocument` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-homenshum-nodebench/archivedocument.md
- `cleanup_stale_runs` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-homenshum-nodebench/cleanup-stale-runs.md
- `deeptrace_revoke_passport` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-homenshum-nodebench/deeptrace-revoke-passport.md
- `delete_learning` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-homenshum-nodebench/delete-learning.md
- `delete_sandbox_policy` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-homenshum-nodebench/delete-sandbox-policy.md
- `deleteAgentMemory` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-homenshum-nodebench/deleteagentmemory.md
- `removeDocumentFromFolder` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-homenshum-nodebench/removedocumentfromfolder.md
- `share_revoke_packet_link` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-homenshum-nodebench/share-revoke-packet-link.md
- `unload_toolset` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-homenshum-nodebench/unload-toolset.md
- `benchmark_models` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-homenshum-nodebench/benchmark-models.md
- `bootstrap_parallel_agents` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-homenshum-nodebench/bootstrap-parallel-agents.md
- `build_banking_packet` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-homenshum-nodebench/build-banking-packet.md
- `build_company_profile_starter` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-homenshum-nodebench/build-company-profile-starter.md
- `build_founder_operating_model` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-homenshum-nodebench/build-founder-operating-model.md
- `build_research_digest` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-homenshum-nodebench/build-research-digest.md
- `build_shared_context_subscription` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-homenshum-nodebench/build-shared-context-subscription.md
- `build_shared_context_subscription_manifest` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-homenshum-nodebench/build-shared-context-subscription-manifest.md
- `build_submission_export` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-homenshum-nodebench/build-submission-export.md
- `build_temporal_graph` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-homenshum-nodebench/build-temporal-graph.md
- `burst_capture` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-homenshum-nodebench/burst-capture.md
- `call_driver_tool` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-homenshum-nodebench/call-driver-tool.md
- `call_llm` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-homenshum-nodebench/call-llm.md
- `call_openclaw_skill` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-homenshum-nodebench/call-openclaw-skill.md
- `call_webmcp_tool` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-homenshum-nodebench/call-webmcp-tool.md
- `capture_surface_stats` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-homenshum-nodebench/capture-surface-stats.md
- `capture_ui_screenshot` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-homenshum-nodebench/capture-ui-screenshot.md
- `compile_decision_packet` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-homenshum-nodebench/compile-decision-packet.md
- `compile_scenarios` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-homenshum-nodebench/compile-scenarios.md
- `compile_tension_model` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-homenshum-nodebench/compile-tension-model.md
- …and 793 more: https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-homenshum-nodebench.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-homenshum-nodebench · API: https://policylayer.com/registry/api · Policy library: https://policylayer.com/policies/io-github-homenshum-nodebench