add-or-update-notes · Anki MCP Server MCP: Risk & Policy

WHAT IT DOES

What add-or-update-notes does on Anki MCP Server

AI agents use add-or-update-notes to create or update resources in Anki MCP Server — usually the action step of a workflow, after the agent has gathered context. Every call changes real data in your Anki MCP Server environment.

WHY IT NEEDS A POLICY

Why add-or-update-notes needs a policy

This tool creates or modifies data in a reversible manner. It does not delete data (would be Destructive), does not execute arbitrary code (would be Execute), and does not involve financial transactions. The medium severity reflects that an AI agent could spam or corrupt the note database, but the impact is containable and the changes are reversible through the update operation or manual correction.

From the tool's definition Tool description explicitly states 'Add new notes or update existing ones' - both operations that create or modify data reversibly. The Anki context (flashcard/study tool) confirms these are non-destructive changes.

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

Recommended rule Ready

Verdict

add-or-update-notes Rate-limited

add-or-update-notes 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.

View as policy code

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "add-or-update-notes": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "add-or-update-notes_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 30,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

LIMIT THIS TOOL →

Instant setup, no code required.

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: every tool call is checked against your rule before it reaches Anki MCP Server, so you can run agents against it safely.

FAQ

Questions about add-or-update-notes

What does the add-or-update-notes tool do? +

Add new notes or update existing ones in Anki. It is categorised as a Write tool in the Anki 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-or-update-notes? +

Register the Anki MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for add-or-update-notes: 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 Anki MCP Server. Nothing to install.

What risk level is add-or-update-notes? +

add-or-update-notes is a Write tool with medium risk. Write tools should be rate-limited to prevent accidental bulk modifications.

Can I rate-limit add-or-update-notes? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the add-or-update-notes 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-or-update-notes completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for add-or-update-notes. 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-or-update-notes? +

add-or-update-notes is provided by the Anki MCP Server MCP server (johwiebe/anki-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.