Medium Risk

update_note_type_styling

Updates the CSS styling for a note type.

How to control update_note_type_styling ↓

AI agents use update_note_type_styling to create or update resources in Anki MCP Server — usually the action step of a workflow, after the agent has gathered context. Every call changes real data in your Anki MCP Server environment.

Medium Risk

The tool modifies note type styling (CSS), which is reversible data modification. It does not delete data (ruling out Destructive), execute arbitrary code (ruling out Execute), nor involve financial transactions. The blast radius is medium: incorrect styling updates could degrade the user's study experience or break note rendering, but changes are restorable by reverting to previous styling or correcting the CSS.

From the tool's definition Tool name contains 'update' and description states 'Updates the CSS styling for a note type' — this modifies existing configuration data.

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

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

policy.json
{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "update_note_type_styling": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "update_note_type_styling_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 30,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

update_note_type_styling stays usable, but capped — an agent stuck in a loop can't make hundreds of changes a minute. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

  1. Create a free account and register Anki MCP Server — nothing to install.
  2. Add this policy — paste it, or build it visually.
  3. Point your MCP client (Claude, Cursor, anything) at your gateway URL.
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Go deeper

What does the update_note_type_styling tool do? +

Updates the CSS styling for a note type. It is categorised as a Write tool in the Anki MCP Server MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.

How do I enforce a policy on update_note_type_styling? +

Register the Anki MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for update_note_type_styling: 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 Anki MCP Server. Nothing to install.

What risk level is update_note_type_styling? +

update_note_type_styling is a Write tool with medium risk. Write tools should be rate-limited to prevent accidental bulk modifications.

Can I rate-limit update_note_type_styling? +

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

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

update_note_type_styling is provided by the Anki MCP Server MCP server (nietus/anki-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every Anki MCP Server tool call.

Deterministic rules across all 22 Anki MCP Server tools. Per-identity grants. Full audit log. Live in minutes. Nothing to install.

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22 Anki MCP Server tools catalogued and risk-classified — across an index of 42,500+ MCP servers.

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