Adds a rectangle shape to a specific slide (dimensions in points).
AI agents use add_rectangle to create or update resources in PowerPoint MCP Server — usually the action step of a workflow, after the agent has gathered context. Every call changes real data in your PowerPoint MCP Server environment.
This tool creates a new graphical element (a rectangle shape) on a slide, modifying the presentation structure reversibly. This is a Write operation—it creates new data without destructive or irreversible effects. The blast radius is minimal since shapes can be easily deleted or modified, and no code execution, financial transactions, or permanent data loss occurs.
From the tool's definition Tool 'adds a rectangle shape' to a presentation slide, which creates new content within an existing presentation file.
Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access add_rectangle gives an agent:
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and PowerPoint MCP Server, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for add_rectangle:
{
"version": "1",
"default": "deny",
"tools": {
"add_rectangle": {
"limits": [
{
"counter": "add_rectangle_rate",
"window": "minute",
"max": 30,
"scope": "grant"
}
]
}
}
}add_rectangle stays usable, but capped — an agent stuck in a loop can't make hundreds of changes a minute. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.
Free to start. No card required.
Adds a rectangle shape to a specific slide (dimensions in points). It is categorised as a Write tool in the PowerPoint MCP Server MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.
Register the PowerPoint MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for add_rectangle: 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 PowerPoint MCP Server. Nothing to install.
add_rectangle is a Write tool with medium risk. Write tools should be rate-limited to prevent accidental bulk modifications.
Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the add_rectangle 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 add_rectangle. 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.
add_rectangle is provided by the PowerPoint MCP Server MCP server (jenstangen1/pptx-xlsx-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Start from PowerPoint MCP Server, add the rest of your stack, and see everything your agents can call. Then put policy on all of it.
Free to start. No card required.
37 PowerPoint MCP Server tools catalogued and risk-classified — across an index of 43,000+ MCP servers.