Medium Risk

create_template

Create a reusable note template

How to control create_template ↓

What create_template does on Obsidian MCP Server

AI agents use create_template 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.

Medium Risk

Why create_template needs a policy

This tool creates (writes) new template data within the Obsidian vault. Creation of templates is a reversible operation—templates can be edited or deleted later—and carries minimal blast radius. An AI agent using this tool could at worst create unwanted templates that would need manual cleanup, but cannot destroy data, execute code, or trigger financial operations.

From the tool's definition Tool creates a reusable note template, which is a reversible creation action that modifies the vault's template resources without deleting or executing external operations.

Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access create_template gives an agent:

How to control create_template

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 create_template:

policy.json
{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "create_template": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "create_template_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 30,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

create_template 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.

  1. Create a free account and register Obsidian MCP Server — nothing to install.
  2. Add this policy — paste it, or build it visually.
  3. Point your MCP client (Claude, Cursor, anything) at your gateway URL.
LIMIT THIS TOOL →

Free to start. No card required.

Related tools and policies

Go deeper

Questions about create_template

What does the create_template tool do? +

Create a reusable note template. 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.

How do I enforce a policy on create_template? +

Register the Obsidian MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for create_template: 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.

What risk level is create_template? +

create_template is a Write tool with medium risk. Write tools should be rate-limited to prevent accidental bulk modifications.

Can I rate-limit create_template? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the create_template 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 create_template completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for create_template. 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 create_template? +

create_template 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.

Enforce policy on every Obsidian MCP Server tool call.

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.

Free to start. No card required.

120 Obsidian MCP Server tools catalogued and risk-classified — across an index of 43,000+ MCP servers.

// GET IN TOUCH

Have a question or want to learn more? Send us a message.

Message sent.

We'll get back to you soon.