Search knowledge base articles by keyword
Part of the NowAIKit — ServiceNow AI Toolkit server.
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AI agents call search_knowledge to retrieve information from NowAIKit — ServiceNow AI Toolkit without modifying any data. This is common in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows where the agent needs context before taking action. Because read operations don't change state, they are generally safe to allow without restrictions -- but you may still want rate limits to control API costs.
Even though search_knowledge only reads data, uncontrolled read access can leak sensitive information or rack up API costs. An agent caught in a retry loop could make thousands of calls per minute. A rate limit gives you a safety net without blocking legitimate use.
Read-only tools are safe to allow by default. No rate limit needed unless you want to control costs.
{
"version": "1",
"default": "deny",
"tools": {
"search_knowledge": {}
}
}See the full NowAIKit — ServiceNow AI Toolkit policy for all 446 tools.
These attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access search_knowledge gives an agent. Each links to the full case and the policy that stops it:
Other read tools across the catalogue. The same approach applies to each: allow, with a rate cap to control cost.
Search knowledge base articles by keyword. It is categorised as a Read tool in the NowAIKit — ServiceNow AI Toolkit MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the NowAIKit — ServiceNow AI Toolkit MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for search_knowledge: 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 NowAIKit — ServiceNow AI Toolkit. Nothing to install.
search_knowledge is a Read tool with low risk. Read-only tools are generally safe to allow by default.
Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the search_knowledge 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.
Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for search_knowledge. 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.
search_knowledge is provided by the NowAIKit — ServiceNow AI Toolkit MCP server (nowaikit). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Deterministic rules across all 446 NowAIKit — ServiceNow AI Toolkit tools. Per-identity grants. Full audit log. Live in minutes. Nothing to install.
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