find_similar

Find semantically similar symbols using vector search + optional AI reranking

SERVERTrace SOURCEnikolai-vysotskyi/trace-mcp

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/nikolai-vysotskyi-trace-mcp/find-similar.md

WHAT IT DOES

What find_similar does on Trace

AI agents call find_similar to retrieve information from Trace without modifying anything. It is typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.

RISK

Why find_similar is rated Low

This tool retrieves and ranks existing code symbols based on semantic similarity. It queries an existing index or vector database but does not create, modify, delete, or execute any code or external operations. The operation is read-only with no side effects, making it a Read category risk.

From the tool's definition Tool performs semantic search on symbols using vector search and optional AI reranking. Keywords indicate retrieval operation: 'Find', 'search'. No modification, deletion, or execution of code indicated.

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

RECOMMENDED RULE

The rule that runs find_similar safely

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: it sits between your AI agents and Trace, and checks every tool call against a rule you set before the call runs. Nothing changes on the server itself. For find_similar, this is the rule to start with:

find_similar Allowed

find_similar 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": {
    "find_similar": {}
  }
}

ALLOW ONLY THIS TOOL → Instant setup, no code required.

The button opens the PolicyLayer dashboard: create your workspace, connect Trace, apply this rule, and every find_similar call is checked against it from then on.

FAQ

Questions about find_similar

What does the find_similar tool do? +

Find semantically similar symbols using vector search + optional AI reranking. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Trace MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.

How do I enforce a policy on find_similar? +

Register the Trace MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for find_similar: 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 Trace. Nothing to install.

What risk level is find_similar? +

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

Can I rate-limit find_similar? +

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

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

find_similar is provided by the Trace MCP server (nikolai-vysotskyi/trace-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

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