Find notes semantically similar to a given note using embeddings. Returns paths, similarity scores, and available blocks.
AI agents call get_similar_notes to retrieve information from Smart Connections MCP Server without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
get_similar_notes performs a search query against embeddings to discover and retrieve information about similar notes. It has no side effects, cannot modify or delete data, and cannot execute code or trigger external operations. This is purely a Read operation querying an Obsidian vault's knowledge graph. Low severity because the blast radius of misuse is limited to information disclosure of existing vault contents.
From the tool's definition Tool returns semantically similar notes with 'paths, similarity scores, and available blocks'—a retrieval operation with no modification or deletion of data.
Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access get_similar_notes gives an agent:
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and Smart Connections MCP Server, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for get_similar_notes:
{
"version": "1",
"default": "deny",
"tools": {
"get_similar_notes": {}
}
}get_similar_notes is read-only, so it stays allowed — but everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.
Free to start. No card required.
Find notes semantically similar to a given note using embeddings. Returns paths, similarity scores, and available blocks. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Smart Connections MCP Server MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Smart Connections MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for get_similar_notes: 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 Smart Connections MCP Server. Nothing to install.
get_similar_notes is a Read tool with low risk. Read-only tools are generally safe to allow by default.
Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the get_similar_notes 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.
Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for get_similar_notes. 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.
get_similar_notes is provided by the Smart Connections MCP Server MCP server (msdanyg/smart-connections-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Start from Smart Connections MCP Server, add the rest of your stack, and see everything your agents can call. Then put policy on all of it.
Free to start. No card required.
6 Smart Connections MCP Server tools catalogued and risk-classified — across an index of 43,000+ MCP servers.