AI agents call list_design_categories to retrieve information from MCP Modus without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool retrieves metadata about design rule categories from documentation. It performs a read-only query operation with no capability to modify data, execute code, or trigger side effects. The blast radius of misuse is minimal—an AI could at worst retrieve unwanted documentation references, which poses no security risk. This is a straightforward Read category tool.
From the tool's definition The tool 'list_design_categories' lists available design rule categories. The verb 'list' indicates a query operation that retrieves information without modifying, deleting, or executing code.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
List all available design rule categories. It is categorised as a Read tool in the MCP Modus MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the MCP Modus MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for list_design_categories: 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 MCP Modus. Nothing to install.
list_design_categories 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 list_design_categories 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 list_design_categories. 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.
list_design_categories is provided by the MCP Modus MCP server (julianoczkowski/mcp-modus). 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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