update_card · Anki MCP Server MCP: Risk & Policy

WHAT IT DOES

What update_card does on Anki MCP Server

AI agents use update_card to create or update resources in Anki MCP Server — usually the action step of a workflow, after the agent has gathered context. Every call changes real data in your Anki MCP Server environment.

WHY IT NEEDS A POLICY

Why update_card needs a policy

This tool modifies existing flashcard data within Anki collections. Updates are reversible (the previous state can be restored by applying a new update or undo operation), placing it in the Write category rather than Destructive. The blast radius is medium because a misbehaving agent could corrupt or alter study material across multiple cards, but data remains recoverable and no irreversible deletion occurs.

From the tool's definition Tool is named 'update_card' and explicitly described as updating 'a card/note in Anki', which creates or modifies data reversibly. The server description states it enables 'creating, searching, and updating cards', confirming write-class functionality.

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

Recommended rule Ready

Verdict

update_card Rate-limited

update_card 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.

View as policy code

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "update_card": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "update_card_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 30,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

LIMIT THIS TOOL →

Instant setup, no code required.

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: every tool call is checked against your rule before it reaches Anki MCP Server, so you can run agents against it safely.

FAQ

Questions about update_card

What does the update_card tool do? +

Update a card/note in Anki. Supports 4 operations: (1). It is categorised as a Write tool in the Anki 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 update_card? +

Register the Anki MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for update_card: 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 Anki MCP Server. Nothing to install.

What risk level is update_card? +

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

Can I rate-limit update_card? +

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

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

update_card is provided by the Anki MCP Server MCP server (letuanvu08/anki-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.