Get recent messages. Returns the most recent messages up to the specified limit. Auto-connects if not already connected.
AI agents call get_recent_messages to retrieve information from Mcp Mail Server without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool retrieves email messages without creating, modifying, deleting, or executing operations. It is a straightforward read operation that queries recent messages from a mailbox. The auto-connect feature is a convenience mechanism and does not change the fundamental read-only nature of the operation.
From the tool's definition Tool name is 'get_recent_messages' and description states 'Get recent messages. Returns the most recent messages up to the specified limit.' The verb 'Get' and 'Returns' indicate data retrieval with no modification or deletion.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Get recent messages. Returns the most recent messages up to the specified limit. Auto-connects if not already connected. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Mcp Mail Server MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Mcp Mail Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for get_recent_messages: 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 Mcp Mail Server. Nothing to install.
get_recent_messages 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 get_recent_messages 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 get_recent_messages. 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.
get_recent_messages is provided by the Mcp Mail Server MCP server (mcp-mail-server). 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.
Teams ship this data inside their own products. See what a licence covers →