View results from the similarity-search tool in an interactive viewer.
Part of the Northwestern University Libraries Digital Collections API server.
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AI agents call view-similar-works to retrieve information from Northwestern University Libraries Digital Collections API 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 view-similar-works 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.
{
"version": "1",
"default": "deny",
"tools": {
"view-similar-works": {}
}
}See the full Northwestern University Libraries Digital Collections API policy for all 8 tools.
These attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access view-similar-works gives an agent. Each links to the full case and the policy that stops it:
Other read tools across the catalogue. The same approach applies to each: allow, with a rate cap to control cost.
View results from the similarity-search tool in an interactive viewer.. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Northwestern University Libraries Digital Collections API MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Northwestern University Libraries Digital Collections API MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for view-similar-works: 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 Northwestern University Libraries Digital Collections API. Nothing to install.
view-similar-works 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 view-similar-works 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 view-similar-works. 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.
view-similar-works is provided by the Northwestern University Libraries Digital Collections API MCP server (@nulib/dc-api-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Deterministic rules across all 8 Northwestern University Libraries Digital Collections API tools. Per-identity grants. Full audit log. Live in minutes. Nothing to install.
Free to start. No card required.
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