add_shape

THE RISK

Medium Risk

Why add_shape needs a policy

The tool creates new presentation content (a shape) without deleting or executing external code. The action is reversible—shapes can be removed or modified. No financial transactions, code execution, or destructive operations are involved. This is a straightforward content creation (Write) operation with minimal blast radius if misused.

From the tool's definition Tool name 'add_shape' and description 'Add a shape to a slide' indicate creation of a new graphical element on a presentation slide.

Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access add_shape gives an agent:

POLICY

How to control add_shape

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_shape:

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "add_shape": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "add_shape_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 30,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

add_shape 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.

Create a free account and register PowerPoint MCP Server — nothing to install.
Add this policy — paste it, or build it visually.
Point your MCP client (Claude, Cursor, anything) at your gateway URL.

LIMIT THIS TOOL →

Free to start. No card required.

EXPLORE

Related tools and policies

More PowerPoint MCP Server tools

Destructive delete_slide Delete a slide from the presentation. Write add_rectangle Adds a rectangle shape to a specific slide (dimensions in points). Write add_slide Add a new slide to the presentation. Write add_text Add text to a slide. Write add_text_box Adds a text box to a specific slide (dimensions in points). Write add_worksheet Adds a worksheet to the specified workbook. Optionally provide a sheet_name. Write apply_template Apply a template to a presentation. Write connect_shapes Connect two shapes with a connector.

All 37 PowerPoint MCP Server tools →

Write tools on other servers

M-Team MCP Server download_torrent YouTube MCP Server generate_video_title Android Forensics ADB MCP Server combine_reports 0xarchive web3_signup

Go deeper

The MCP Attack Database → Documented attack patterns against MCP deployments — and the policies that stop them.
Argument validation → Checking tool call arguments against schema and policy before they run.
Scoped token → Per-person credentials that grant a defined subset of servers and tools.
Rate Limiting MCP Tool Calls: A Practical Guide →
MCP Security: Why Prompt Guardrails Aren't Enough →

FAQ

Questions about add_shape

What does the add_shape tool do? +

Add a shape to a slide. 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.

How do I enforce a policy on add_shape? +

Register the PowerPoint MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for add_shape: 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.

What risk level is add_shape? +

add_shape is a Write tool with medium risk. Write tools should be rate-limited to prevent accidental bulk modifications.

Can I rate-limit add_shape? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the add_shape 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.

How do I block add_shape completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for add_shape. 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.

What MCP server provides add_shape? +

add_shape 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.

Enforce policy on every PowerPoint MCP Server tool call.

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.

CHECK YOUR STACK →