list_categories

THE RISK

Low Risk

Why list_categories needs a policy

This tool retrieves or queries categorical information from the APIClaw API index to help users browse available APIs. The verb 'list' and 'browse' indicate read-only operations with no side effects, data modification, or external execution. Confidence is high given the clear intent and context within a discovery/search-oriented server.

From the tool's definition Tool name is 'list_categories' and description states 'Browse APIClaw', which indicates a read-only browsing/discovery operation with no modification or execution capabilities.

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

POLICY

How to control list_categories

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

policy.json

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

list_categories 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 APIClaw — nothing to install.
Add this policy — paste it, or build it visually.
Point your MCP client (Claude, Cursor, anything) at your gateway URL.

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EXPLORE

Related tools and policies

More APIClaw tools

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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_categories

What does the list_categories tool do? +

Browse APIClaw. It is categorised as a Read tool in the APIClaw MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.

How do I enforce a policy on list_categories? +

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

What risk level is list_categories? +

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

Can I rate-limit list_categories? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the list_categories 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_categories completely? +

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

list_categories is provided by the APIClaw MCP server (nordsym/apiclaw). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every APIClaw tool call.

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

CHECK YOUR STACK →