simple search for documents matching a specified text query across all files in the vault. use this tool when you want to do a simple text search
AI agents call obsidian_simple_search to retrieve information from Obsidian MCP Server without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool performs a read-only search operation across vault files. It retrieves matching documents based on a text query with no side effects, reversible actions, or destructive capabilities. The blast radius of misuse is minimal—an AI agent could only retrieve information it should not access, not modify or delete data. This is a classic Read category tool with low severity.
From the tool's definition Tool description explicitly states "simple search for documents matching a specified text query" and "use this tool when you want to do a simple text search". Server description confirms tools "search, read, and analyze Obsidian notes".
Risk signalsBulk/mass operation — affects multiple targets
Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access obsidian_simple_search 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 obsidian_simple_search:
{
"version": "1",
"default": "deny",
"tools": {
"obsidian_simple_search": {}
}
}obsidian_simple_search is read-only, so it stays allowed — but everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.
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simple search for documents matching a specified text query across all files in the vault. use this tool when you want to do a simple text search. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Obsidian MCP Server MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Obsidian MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for obsidian_simple_search: 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.
obsidian_simple_search 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 obsidian_simple_search 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 obsidian_simple_search. 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.
obsidian_simple_search is provided by the Obsidian MCP Server MCP server (louis030195/easy-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.
Free to start. No card required.
6 Obsidian MCP Server tools catalogued and risk-classified — across an index of 43,000+ MCP servers.