Search within a single scratchpad content using string or regex patterns. Similar to VS Code Ctrl+F or grep for a single file. Supports context-aware search results with line-based context.
AI agents call search-scratchpad-content 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 tool performs content search and retrieval without modifying, deleting, or executing arbitrary code. It returns context-aware search results similar to standard text search utilities. No side effects or data mutations occur. The operation is read-only and has minimal blast radius if misused by an agent—worst case would be information disclosure of scratchpad contents the agent already has access to.
From the tool's definition Tool name 'search-scratchpad-content' and description 'Search within a single scratchpad content using string or regex patterns' indicates retrieval/query functionality.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Search within a single scratchpad content using string or regex patterns. Similar to VS Code Ctrl+F or grep for a single file. Supports context-aware search results with line-based context. 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 search-scratchpad-content: 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.
search-scratchpad-content 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-scratchpad-content 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-scratchpad-content. 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-scratchpad-content 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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