search_classes

THE RISK

Low Risk

Why search_classes needs a policy

This tool retrieves and queries Android source code metadata (class names matching patterns). It has no side effects, cannot modify source code, execute arbitrary operations, or cause destructive changes. It is purely informational browsing of AOSP/Jetpack source, consistent with a code explorer utility.

From the tool's definition Tool description states it "Search[es] for classes by glob pattern or substring". The sibling tools (find_references, get_class_hierarchy, get_type_info, goto_definition, list_available_versions, list_class_members, lookup_class) all indicate a read-only…

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

POLICY

How to control search_classes

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

policy.json

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

search_classes 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 Android Source Explorer 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

More Android Source Explorer MCP Server tools

Read check_integrity Check the integrity of the local source cache and index. Read find_references Find all references to a symbol at a specific position (Requires LSP). Read get_class_hierarchy Get the inheritance hierarchy (superclass and interfaces) for a class. Read get_type_info Get type information and documentation (hover) for a symbol (Requires LSP). Read goto_definition Resolve the definition of a symbol at a specific position (Requires LSP). Read list_available_versions List available versions for an AndroidX artifact (e.g. 'androidx.compose.runtime:runtime') Read list_class_members List all method and field signatures for a given class. Read lookup_class Retrieve the full source code for a given Android Framework or AndroidX class.

All 11 Android Source Explorer MCP Server tools →

Read tools on other servers

M-Team MCP Server get_torrent_detail YouTube MCP Server search_channel Android Forensics ADB MCP Server parse_browser_history 0xarchive web3_challenge

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 search_classes

What does the search_classes tool do? +

Search for classes by glob pattern or substring (e.g. '*ViewModel*' or 'Activity'). It is categorised as a Read tool in the Android Source Explorer MCP Server MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.

How do I enforce a policy on search_classes? +

Register the Android Source Explorer MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for search_classes: 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 Android Source Explorer MCP Server. Nothing to install.

What risk level is search_classes? +

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

Can I rate-limit search_classes? +

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

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

search_classes is provided by the Android Source Explorer MCP Server MCP server (mrmike/android-source-explorer-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every Android Source Explorer MCP Server tool call.

Start from Android Source Explorer 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 →