AI agents call get_footprint_bounds to retrieve information from Kicad without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool queries and returns bounding box coordinates of an existing footprint placement. It performs no modifications, deletions, or side effects—purely informational retrieval of spatial properties. Classification as Read is appropriate with low severity due to minimal blast radius if misused by an agent.
From the tool's definition Tool name 'get_footprint_bounds' and description 'Get the board-coordinate bounding box of a placed footprint' indicate retrieval of geometric metadata without modification.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Get the board-coordinate bounding box of a placed footprint. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Kicad MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Kicad MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for get_footprint_bounds: 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 Kicad. Nothing to install.
get_footprint_bounds 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_footprint_bounds 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_footprint_bounds. 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_footprint_bounds is provided by the Kicad MCP server (productofamerica/mcp-server-kicad). 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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