update_notebook · Notebooklm MCP: Risk & Policy

WHAT IT DOES

What update_notebook does on Notebooklm

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

WHY IT NEEDS A POLICY

Why update_notebook needs a policy

This tool modifies notebook metadata fields but does not delete or irreversibly destroy data, nor does it execute arbitrary code or move money. It is a reversible write operation on an existing resource. Severity is medium because modifying notebook metadata could affect downstream operations or analysis if corrupted, but the impact is localized to metadata rather than destroying primary content.

From the tool's definition Tool name 'update_notebook' and description states 'Patch metadata fields on an existing notebook', indicating modification of existing data in a reversible manner.

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

Recommended rule Ready

Verdict

update_notebook Rate-limited

update_notebook 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.

View as policy code

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "update_notebook": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "update_notebook_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 30,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

LIMIT THIS TOOL →

Instant setup, no code required.

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: every tool call is checked against your rule before it reaches Notebooklm, so you can run agents against it safely.

FAQ

Questions about update_notebook

What does the update_notebook tool do? +

Patch metadata fields on an existing notebook. Pass. It is categorised as a Write tool in the Notebooklm 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_notebook? +

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

What risk level is update_notebook? +

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

Can I rate-limit update_notebook? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the update_notebook 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_notebook completely? +

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

update_notebook is provided by the Notebooklm MCP server (notebooklm-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.