List all notes in the vault or a specific folder
AI agents call listNotes to retrieve information from Obsidian MCP REST Server without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool performs a read-only operation that enumerates notes, similar to a directory listing. It has no side effects, does not modify or delete data, and does not execute code. The blast radius of misuse is minimal—an attacker could learn about vault structure but cannot access note contents, modify files, or cause damage. Confidence is high because the name and description are clear and unambiguous.
From the tool's definition Tool name 'listNotes' and description 'List all notes in the vault or a specific folder' indicate a query operation that retrieves metadata about vault contents without modifying data.
Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access listNotes gives an agent:
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and Obsidian MCP REST Server, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for listNotes:
{
"version": "1",
"default": "deny",
"tools": {
"listNotes": {}
}
}listNotes is read-only, so it stays allowed — but everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.
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List all notes in the vault or a specific folder. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Obsidian MCP REST Server MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Obsidian MCP REST Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for listNotes: 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 Obsidian MCP REST Server. Nothing to install.
listNotes 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 listNotes 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 listNotes. 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.
listNotes is provided by the Obsidian MCP REST Server MCP server (publikprinciple/obsidian-mcp-rest). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Deterministic rules across all 5 Obsidian MCP REST Server tools. Per-identity grants. Full audit log. Live in minutes. Nothing to install.
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5 Obsidian MCP REST Server tools catalogued and risk-classified — across an index of 42,500+ MCP servers.