indexing_status

THE RISK

Low Risk

Why indexing_status needs a policy

This tool retrieves information about the current state of the codebase indexing process. It performs a read-only query to report status metrics, similar to checking logs or status endpoints. There is no data modification, execution of external operations, deletion, or financial impact. The low severity reflects minimal blast radius even if misused—an AI agent checking indexing status repeatedly causes no harm.

From the tool's definition Tool name 'indexing_status' and description 'Check the current indexing status and progress' indicate a query/status retrieval operation with no modification of data or side effects.

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

POLICY

How to control indexing_status

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

policy.json

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

indexing_status 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 MCP Codebase Index — 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 indexing_status

What does the indexing_status tool do? +

Check the current indexing status and progress. It is categorised as a Read tool in the MCP Codebase Index MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.

How do I enforce a policy on indexing_status? +

Register the MCP Codebase Index MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for indexing_status: 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 MCP Codebase Index. Nothing to install.

What risk level is indexing_status? +

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

Can I rate-limit indexing_status? +

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

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

indexing_status is provided by the MCP Codebase Index MCP server (ngotaico/mcp-codebase-index). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every MCP Codebase Index tool call.

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

CHECK YOUR STACK →