Find all files and tests affected by changing a file, with hop distance. Use before making edits to assess blast radius — not for read-only exploration.
Risk signalsAccepts file system path (file) · Bulk/mass operation — affects multiple targets
Part of the Kai server.
Free to start. No card required.
AI agents call kai_impact to retrieve information from Kai without modifying any data. This is common in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows where the agent needs context before taking action. Because read operations don't change state, they are generally safe to allow without restrictions -- but you may still want rate limits to control API costs.
Even though kai_impact only reads data, uncontrolled read access can leak sensitive information or rack up API costs. An agent caught in a retry loop could make thousands of calls per minute. A rate limit gives you a safety net without blocking legitimate use.
Read-only tools are safe to allow by default. No rate limit needed unless you want to control costs.
{
"version": "1",
"default": "deny",
"tools": {
"kai_impact": {}
}
}See the full Kai policy for all 18 tools.
These attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access kai_impact gives an agent. Each links to the full case and the policy that stops it:
Other read tools across the catalogue. The same approach applies to each: allow, with a rate cap to control cost.
Find all files and tests affected by changing a file, with hop distance. Use before making edits to assess blast radius — not for read-only exploration.. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Kai MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Kai MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for kai_impact: 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 Kai. Nothing to install.
kai_impact 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 kai_impact 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 kai_impact. 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.
kai_impact is provided by the Kai MCP server (kai-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Deterministic rules across all 18 Kai tools. Per-identity grants. Full audit log. Live in minutes. Nothing to install.
Free to start. No card required.
4,600+ MCP servers and 31,000+ tools scanned and risk-classified.