AI agents use add_table_of_contents to create or update resources in Obsidian MCP Server — usually the action step of a workflow, after the agent has gathered context. Every call changes real data in your Obsidian MCP Server environment.
This tool generates and adds a table of contents to a note based on existing heading structure. This is a content modification operation (Write category) that is reversible and has no destructive or external execution effects. The blast radius is minimal—worst case, an unwanted TOC is added to a note and can be easily removed. Severity is low because the change is non-destructive and easily undone.
From the tool's definition Tool name 'add_table_of_contents' and description 'Generate TOC from headings' indicate the tool creates or modifies content by inserting a table of contents into a note, which is a reversible write operation.
Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access add_table_of_contents gives an agent:
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and Obsidian MCP Server, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for add_table_of_contents:
{
"version": "1",
"default": "deny",
"tools": {
"add_table_of_contents": {
"limits": [
{
"counter": "add_table_of_contents_rate",
"window": "minute",
"max": 30,
"scope": "grant"
}
]
}
}
}add_table_of_contents 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.
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Generate TOC from headings. It is categorised as a Write tool in the Obsidian MCP Server MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.
Register the Obsidian MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for add_table_of_contents: 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 MCP Server. Nothing to install.
add_table_of_contents is a Write tool with medium risk. Write tools should be rate-limited to prevent accidental bulk modifications.
Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the add_table_of_contents 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 add_table_of_contents. 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.
add_table_of_contents is provided by the Obsidian MCP Server MCP server (kynlos/obsidian-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Start from Obsidian MCP Server, add the rest of your stack, and see everything your agents can call. Then put policy on all of it.
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120 Obsidian MCP Server tools catalogued and risk-classified — across an index of 43,000+ MCP servers.