Search skills by keywords using BM25-ranked full-text search. Searches across skill names, descriptions, tags, and content summaries. Returns results ranked by relevance. Args: - query: Search keywords (e.g.,
AI agents call skills_search 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 is a search/discovery tool that retrieves information about available AI skills. It has no ability to modify, delete, execute, or create data—only to query and return ranked results. The arguments are search keywords, not commands or modifications. Blast radius is minimal as misuse would only return irrelevant search results, not expose sensitive data or cause system harm.
From the tool's definition Tool performs 'Search skills by keywords using BM25-ranked full-text search' and 'Returns results ranked by relevance.' It retrieves and queries data with no side effects.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Search skills by keywords using BM25-ranked full-text search. Searches across skill names, descriptions, tags, and content summaries. Returns results ranked by relevance. Args: - query: Search keywords (e.g.,. 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_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 Skills. Nothing to install.
skills_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 skills_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 skills_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.
skills_search 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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