list_footprint_libraries

THE RISK

Low Risk

Why list_footprint_libraries needs a policy

This tool performs a read-only operation to enumerate and display footprint libraries and their contents. There are no side effects, no data modification, and no irreversible actions. It is purely informational retrieval, consistent with the Read category definition.

From the tool's definition The tool description explicitly states it 'List[s] available .pretty footprint libraries and their contents' — a query operation that retrieves information without modifying or deleting data.

Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access list_footprint_libraries gives an agent:

POLICY

How to control list_footprint_libraries

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and KiCAD-MCP-Server, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for list_footprint_libraries:

policy.json

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

list_footprint_libraries is read-only, so it stays allowed — but everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

Create a free account and register KiCAD-MCP-Server — nothing to install.
Add this policy — paste it, or build it visually.
Point your MCP client (Claude, Cursor, anything) at your gateway URL.

CAP THIS TOOL →

Free to start. No card required.

EXPLORE

Related tools and policies

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Go deeper

The MCP Attack Database → Documented attack patterns against MCP deployments — and the policies that stop them.
Data exfiltration → How read access becomes an exfiltration channel when chained with untrusted content.
MCP token cost → What connecting this server costs in context-window tokens on every request.
Rate Limiting MCP Tool Calls: A Practical Guide →
MCP Security: Why Prompt Guardrails Aren't Enough →

FAQ

Questions about list_footprint_libraries

What does the list_footprint_libraries tool do? +

List available .pretty footprint libraries and their contents (first 20 footprints per library). 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 list_footprint_libraries? +

Register the KiCAD-MCP-Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for list_footprint_libraries: 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 list_footprint_libraries? +

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

Can I rate-limit list_footprint_libraries? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the list_footprint_libraries 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 list_footprint_libraries completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for list_footprint_libraries. 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 list_footprint_libraries? +

list_footprint_libraries 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.

Enforce policy on every KiCAD-MCP-Server tool call.

Start from KiCAD-MCP-Server, add the rest of your stack, and see everything your agents can call. Then put policy on all of it.

CHECK YOUR STACK →