AI agents call hn_ask_hn to retrieve information from UnClick without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
| Parameter | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
limit | number | — |
Parameters from the server's own tool schema.
This tool queries and retrieves publicly available posts from Hacker News Ask section. It performs a read-only operation with no ability to modify, delete, or execute external actions. The blast radius of misuse is minimal—an agent could only retrieve posts it is already entitled to see.
From the tool's definition Tool name 'hn_ask_hn' and description 'Get Ask HN posts from Hacker News' indicate a retrieval operation. The verb 'Get' explicitly describes data retrieval with no side effects.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Get Ask HN posts from Hacker News. It is categorised as a Read tool in the UnClick MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
hn_ask_hn accepts 1 parameter: limit. The full parameter table on this page comes from the server's own tool schema.
Register the UnClick MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for hn_ask_hn: 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 UnClick. Nothing to install.
hn_ask_hn 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 hn_ask_hn 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 hn_ask_hn. 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.
hn_ask_hn is provided by the UnClick MCP server (@unclick/mcp-server). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Every MCP server has a record like this.
Type a name, get the same breakdown: verified identity, auth posture, risk grade, capabilities, recommended policy.
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