get_backend_state

Return the active backend, realtime status, loaded project/board paths, and dirty state.

SERVERKiCAD-MCP-Server SOURCEmixelpixx/kicad-mcp-server

Low RISK CLASS

Category Read

Parameters 00 required

Recommended Allowedsee the rule below

Registry record Grade F, identity unverified Pull the record →

This record as markdown: /tools/mixelpixx-kicad-mcp-server/get-backend-state.md

WHAT IT DOES

What get_backend_state does on KiCAD-MCP-Server

AI agents call get_backend_state to retrieve information from KiCAD-MCP-Server without modifying anything. It is typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.

RISK

Why get_backend_state is rated Low

This tool retrieves state information about the KiCAD backend (active backend, status, file paths, and dirty state) without creating, modifying, or deleting any data. It has no side effects and poses minimal risk if invoked by an AI agent, as it only exposes internal state information.

From the tool's definition Tool name 'get_backend_state' and description 'Return the active backend, realtime status, loaded project/board paths, and dirty state' indicate data retrieval with no modification. The verb 'return' and the query-like nature confirm this is a read operation.

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

RECOMMENDED RULE

The rule that runs get_backend_state safely

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: it sits between your AI agents and KiCAD-MCP-Server, and checks every tool call against a rule you set before the call runs. Nothing changes on the server itself. For get_backend_state, this is the rule to start with:

get_backend_state Allowed

get_backend_state is read-only, so it stays allowed. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

View as policy code

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "get_backend_state": {}
  }
}

ALLOW ONLY THIS TOOL → Instant setup, no code required.

The button opens the PolicyLayer dashboard: create your workspace, connect KiCAD-MCP-Server, apply this rule, and every get_backend_state call is checked against it from then on.

FAQ

Questions about get_backend_state

What does the get_backend_state tool do? +

Return the active backend, realtime status, loaded project/board paths, and dirty state. It is categorised as a Read tool in the KiCAD-MCP-Server MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.

How do I enforce a policy on get_backend_state? +

Register the KiCAD-MCP-Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for get_backend_state: 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 KiCAD-MCP-Server. Nothing to install.

What risk level is get_backend_state? +

get_backend_state is a Read tool with low risk. Read-only tools are generally safe to allow by default.

Can I rate-limit get_backend_state? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the get_backend_state 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.

How do I block get_backend_state completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for get_backend_state. 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.

What MCP server provides get_backend_state? +

get_backend_state is provided by the KiCAD-MCP-Server MCP server (mixelpixx/kicad-mcp-server). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

KEEP EXPLORING

More on KiCAD-MCP-Server, and thousands of servers like it.

This server

All 231 KiCAD-MCP-Server tools →

Across the catalogue

get_cocktail_by_category on Cocktails RAG MCP Server →get_torrent_detail on M-Team MCP Server →aiva_get_affiliate on AIVA MCP Server →get-chuck-categories on Jokes MCP Server → The MCP Attack Database →

Guides

Roll out MCP under one policy →Data exfiltration →MCP token cost →