Retrieve a scratchpad by its ID with optional range selection. Supports line_range (specific lines) and line_context (line + surrounding context or block). Content truncated to 2000 chars by default.
AI agents call get-scratchpad to retrieve information from Scratchpad MCP without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This is a pure data retrieval operation with no side effects. It queries and fetches scratchpad content without creating, modifying, deleting, or executing anything. The scope is limited to reading shared collaborative content within a project context. Low severity because misuse would only expose readable data the agent already has access to within its workflow scope.
From the tool's definition Tool 'get-scratchpad' retrieves a scratchpad by ID with optional range/context selection; described as 'Retrieve' with no modification or deletion capabilities. Returns content with automatic truncation (2000 chars).
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Retrieve a scratchpad by its ID with optional range selection. Supports line_range (specific lines) and line_context (line + surrounding context or block). Content truncated to 2000 chars by default. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Scratchpad MCP MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Scratchpad MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for get-scratchpad: 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 Scratchpad MCP. Nothing to install.
get-scratchpad 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 get-scratchpad 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 get-scratchpad. 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.
get-scratchpad is provided by the Scratchpad MCP server (pc035860/scratchpad-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Every MCP server has a record like this.
Type a name, get the same breakdown: verified identity, auth posture, risk grade, capabilities, recommended policy.
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