itis_search_by_name
Search USDA ITIS for species by common name.
This record as markdown: /tools/io-github-malamutemayhem-unclick-mcp-server/itis-search-by-name.md
What itis_search_by_name does on UnClick
AI agents call itis_search_by_name to retrieve information from UnClick without modifying anything. It is typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
| Parameter | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
name | string | Yes | Common name to search (e.g. lion, oak, salmon). |
Parameters from the server's own tool schema.
Why itis_search_by_name is rated Low
This tool retrieves taxonomic information from a public USDA database based on search parameters. It has no side effects, does not modify data, execute code, delete records, or commit financial transactions. The narrow scope (species lookup by name) and read-only nature make it a straightforward Read category tool with low risk.
From the tool's definition Tool name contains 'search' and description states 'Search USDA ITIS for species by common name' — a pure query operation with no data modification, deletion, or external execution.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
The rule that runs itis_search_by_name safely
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: it sits between your AI agents and UnClick, and checks every tool call against a rule you set before the call runs. Nothing changes on the server itself. For itis_search_by_name, this is the rule to start with:
itis_search_by_name 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 UnClick, apply this rule, and every itis_search_by_name call is checked against it from then on.
Questions about itis_search_by_name
Search USDA ITIS for species by common name. It is categorised as a Read tool in the UnClick MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
itis_search_by_name accepts 1 parameter: name. Required: name. 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 itis_search_by_name: 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.
itis_search_by_name 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 itis_search_by_name 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 itis_search_by_name. 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.
itis_search_by_name 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.
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