list_tool_categories

List all available KiCAD tool categories with their descriptions and tool counts. Use this to discover which tools are available via the router.

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/list-tool-categories.md

WHAT IT DOES

What list_tool_categories does on KiCAD-MCP-Server

AI agents call list_tool_categories 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 list_tool_categories is rated Low

This tool performs information retrieval only—it returns metadata about available tool categories and their descriptions. There are no side effects, no data modifications, no code execution, and no destructive operations. It is purely a Read category tool with low severity since misuse would only expose internal tool availability information.

From the tool's definition Tool name 'list_tool_categories' and description 'List all available KiCAD tool categories' indicates a query/discovery operation that retrieves metadata about available tools without modifying or executing anything.

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

RECOMMENDED RULE

The rule that runs list_tool_categories 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 list_tool_categories, this is the rule to start with:

list_tool_categories Allowed

list_tool_categories 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": {
    "list_tool_categories": {}
  }
}

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 list_tool_categories call is checked against it from then on.

FAQ

Questions about list_tool_categories

What does the list_tool_categories tool do? +

List all available KiCAD tool categories with their descriptions and tool counts. Use this to discover which tools are available via the router. 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_tool_categories? +

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

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

Can I rate-limit list_tool_categories? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the list_tool_categories 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_tool_categories completely? +

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

list_tool_categories 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.

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