Get structured metadata for one or more skills without reading their full content. Returns frontmatter fields, category, file size, available files, and related skills (by tag overlap). Useful for quickly comparing skills or checking metadata before deciding which to read in full. Args: - slugs: ...
AI agents call skills_inspect to retrieve information from Skills without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool performs read-only data retrieval of metadata and structured information about skills. It returns frontmatter fields, category, file size, available files, and related skills—all query operations with no side effects.
From the tool's definition Tool description states it 'Get[s] structured metadata for one or more skills without reading their full content' and is 'Useful for quickly comparing skills or checking metadata before deciding which to read in full.' The args accept skill identifiers…
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Get structured metadata for one or more skills without reading their full content. Returns frontmatter fields, category, file size, available files, and related skills (by tag overlap). Useful for quickly comparing skills or checking metadata before deciding which to read in full. Args: - slugs: Array of 1-${INSPECT_MAX_SLUGS} skill identifiers - response_format:. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Skills MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Skills MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for skills_inspect: 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 Skills. Nothing to install.
skills_inspect 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 skills_inspect 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 skills_inspect. 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.
skills_inspect is provided by the Skills MCP server (lucasromanzin/skills-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Every MCP server has a record like this.
Type a name, get the same breakdown: verified identity, auth posture, risk grade, capabilities, recommended policy.
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