Search across all notes for a text query. Returns matching file paths and snippets.
AI agents call search_notes to retrieve information from Obsidian Vault MCP Server without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
The search_notes tool performs a query operation that retrieves and returns matching content without creating, modifying, deleting, or executing any operations. It is a straightforward read operation similar to a search or filter function. While the server includes destructive tools (delete_note, delete_folder), this specific tool has no side effects and falls clearly into the Read category with low severity.
From the tool's definition Tool description states "Search across all notes for a text query. Returns matching file paths and snippets." This is purely retrieval of data with no modification or side effects.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Search across all notes for a text query. Returns matching file paths and snippets. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Obsidian Vault MCP Server MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Obsidian Vault MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for search_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 Obsidian Vault MCP Server. Nothing to install.
search_notes 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 search_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.
Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for search_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.
search_notes is provided by the Obsidian Vault MCP Server MCP server (jonhollander/obsidian-mcp-cloudflare). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Every MCP server has a record like this.
Type a name, get the same breakdown: verified identity, auth posture, risk grade, capabilities, recommended policy.
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