Advanced search with support for glob patterns, regex, tags, frontmatter filtering, and complex filtering. At least one of query, glob, regex, tags, or frontmatter must be provided.
AI agents call advanced_search_vault 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.
The tool retrieves and queries data from the Obsidian vault based on multiple filter criteria but does not create, modify, delete, or execute external code. It has no side effects on the vault contents. Despite being 'advanced', it remains a search/read operation with minimal blast radius—worst case is returning unexpected search results.
From the tool's definition Tool performs 'advanced search' with support for 'glob patterns, regex, tags, frontmatter filtering, and complex filtering'. The parameters are all search/query filters (query, glob, regex, tags, frontmatter).
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Advanced search with support for glob patterns, regex, tags, frontmatter filtering, and complex filtering. At least one of query, glob, regex, tags, or frontmatter must be provided. 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 advanced_search_vault: 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.
advanced_search_vault 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 advanced_search_vault 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 advanced_search_vault. 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.
advanced_search_vault is provided by the Obsidian MCP Server MCP server (markheramis/obsidian-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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