add_tags

THE RISK

Medium Risk

Why add_tags needs a policy

Adding tags to a note is a reversible metadata operation that modifies existing data within Obsidian without deleting, executing external commands, or triggering financial transactions. This is classic Write behavior—tags can be added and removed without permanent loss of information.

From the tool's definition Tool name 'add_tags' and description 'Add tags to a note' indicate modification of metadata without irreversible deletion or external system effects.

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

POLICY

How to control add_tags

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and Enhanced Obsidian MCP Server, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for add_tags:

policy.json

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

add_tags 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 Enhanced Obsidian 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 Enhanced Obsidian MCP Server tools

Destructive delete_note Delete a note from the Obsidian vault Destructive delete_template Delete a template Destructive manage_folder Create, rename, move, or delete a folder in the Obsidian vault Write apply_template Apply a template to create a new note Write auto_backlink_vault Automatically add backlinks throughout the entire vault by detecting note names in content Write create_note Create a new note in the Obsidian vault Write create_template Create a new template Write move_note Move or rename a note to a new location in the Obsidian vault

All 25 Enhanced Obsidian 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_tags

What does the add_tags tool do? +

Add tags to a note. It is categorised as a Write tool in the Enhanced Obsidian 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_tags? +

Register the Enhanced Obsidian MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for add_tags: 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 Enhanced Obsidian MCP Server. Nothing to install.

What risk level is add_tags? +

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

Can I rate-limit add_tags? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the add_tags 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_tags completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for add_tags. 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_tags? +

add_tags is provided by the Enhanced Obsidian MCP Server MCP server (jianruidutong/obsidian-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every Enhanced Obsidian MCP Server tool call.

Start from Enhanced Obsidian 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 →