AI agents call clear_highlights to permanently remove resources in Nvim — typically in cleanup and lifecycle workflows. It does its job in a single call, and there is no undo.
The name suggests removing/clearing highlight data in Neovim. While clearing highlights is somewhat reversible (they can be reapplied), it does remove visual annotations. However, the description is empty so confidence is low.
From the tool's definition Tool name 'clear_highlights' and server context of controlling Neovim sessions; description is empty and uninformative.
Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access clear_highlights gives an agent:
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and Nvim, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for clear_highlights:
{
"version": "1",
"default": "deny",
"hide": [
"clear_highlights"
]
}clear_highlights disappears from the agent's tool list entirely, and any attempt to call it is denied. The rest of the server keeps working.
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clear_highlights. It is categorised as a Destructive tool in the Nvim MCP Server, which means it can permanently delete or destroy data. Block by default and require explicit approval.
Register the Nvim MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for clear_highlights: 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 Nvim. Nothing to install.
clear_highlights is a Destructive tool with critical risk. Critical-risk tools should be blocked by default and only enabled with explicit human approval.
Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the clear_highlights 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 clear_highlights. 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.
clear_highlights is provided by the Nvim MCP server (paulburgess1357/nvim-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Deterministic rules across all 17 Nvim tools. Per-identity grants. Full audit log. Live in minutes. Nothing to install.
Free to start. No card required.
17 Nvim tools catalogued and risk-classified — across an index of 42,500+ MCP servers.