list_library_footprints

THE RISK

Low Risk

Why list_library_footprints needs a policy

This tool only retrieves and displays existing footprint data from a KiCAD library with no side effects, data modification, or external operations. It is a pure read operation that queries the library contents. No data can be created, deleted, or corrupted. Severity is low because exposure of library metadata poses minimal risk even if accessed inappropriately by an AI agent.

From the tool's definition Tool name is 'list_library_footprints' and description states 'List all footprints in a specific KiCAD library'. The verb 'list' and 'read-only' nature of retrieving/querying library contents without modification.

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

POLICY

How to control list_library_footprints

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_library_footprints:

policy.json

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

list_library_footprints 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_library_footprints

What does the list_library_footprints tool do? +

List all footprints in a specific KiCAD 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_library_footprints? +

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

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

Can I rate-limit list_library_footprints? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the list_library_footprints 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_library_footprints completely? +

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

list_library_footprints 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 →