list_memories

THE RISK

Low Risk

Why list_memories needs a policy

This tool queries and returns information about existing memory documents without creating, modifying, or deleting data. It is a read-only operation that enumerates available resources, consistent with the 'Read' category for retrieval tools like 'list' and 'get'.

From the tool's definition Tool name 'list_memories' and description 'List all available memory documents' indicate a retrieval operation with no side effects.

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

POLICY

How to control list_memories

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

policy.json

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

list_memories 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 Structured Memory — 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 Mcp Structured Memory tools

Write add_to_list Add an item to a list section in a memory document Write create_memory Create a new structured memory document with optional initial content. IMPORTANT: After us Write move_list_item Move an item from one section to another Write update_list_item Update an existing item in a list section Write update_section Update an entire section of a memory document. Content supports full Markdown formatting i Read get_full_memory Retrieve the complete content of a memory document with all Markdown formatting preserved Read get_memory_summary Get a high-level summary of a memory document Read get_section Retrieve a specific section from a memory document

All 10 Mcp Structured Memory 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 list_memories

What does the list_memories tool do? +

List all available memory documents. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Mcp Structured Memory MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.

How do I enforce a policy on list_memories? +

Register the Mcp Structured Memory MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for list_memories: 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 Structured Memory. Nothing to install.

What risk level is list_memories? +

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

Can I rate-limit list_memories? +

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

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

list_memories is provided by the Mcp Structured Memory MCP server (nmeierpolys/mcp-structured-memory). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every Mcp Structured Memory tool call.

Start from Mcp Structured Memory, add the rest of your stack, and see everything your agents can call. Then put policy on all of it.

CHECK YOUR STACK →