List Bear notes with optional tag filtering. Returns an array of notes with IDs, titles, tags, pin status, and modification dates. Notes with 'locked: true' are private/encrypted in Bear and their body content is not searchable — if a search returns no results, check whether the relevant note is ...
Single-target operation
Part of the Better Bear MCP server. Enforce policies on this tool with Intercept, the open-source MCP proxy.
AI agents call bear_list_notes to retrieve information from Better Bear 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 bear_list_notes 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.
tools:
bear_list_notes:
rules:
- action: allowSee the full Better Bear policy for all 34 tools.
Agents calling read-class tools like bear_list_notes have been implicated in these attack patterns. Read the full case and prevention policy for each:
Other tools in the Read risk category across the catalogue. The same policy patterns (rate-limit, allow) apply to each.
List Bear notes with optional tag filtering. Returns an array of notes with IDs, titles, tags, pin status, and modification dates. Notes with 'locked: true' are private/encrypted in Bear and their body content is not searchable — if a search returns no results, check whether the relevant note is locked. Use bear_get_note to read the full content of a specific note.. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Better Bear MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Add a rule in your Intercept YAML policy under the tools section for bear_list_notes. You can allow, deny, rate-limit, or validate arguments. Then run Intercept as a proxy in front of the Better Bear MCP server.
bear_list_notes 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 bear_list_notes rule in your Intercept 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 Intercept policy for bear_list_notes. 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.
bear_list_notes is provided by the Better Bear MCP server (better-bear). Intercept sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Open source. One binary. Zero dependencies.
npx -y @policylayer/intercept