Get a single entity by its OpenAlex ID
AI agents call get_entity to retrieve information from OpenAlex MCP Server without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool retrieves scholarly metadata (papers, authors, institutions, etc.) by ID from a read-only catalog. It performs a simple lookup query with no capability to modify, delete, or execute operations. The severity is low because the OpenAlex catalog is public research data with no sensitive financial or destructive implications.
From the tool's definition Tool name 'get_entity' and description 'Get a single entity by its OpenAlex ID' indicate retrieval of a single record from the OpenAlex catalog with no modification or side effects.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Get a single entity by its OpenAlex ID. It is categorised as a Read tool in the OpenAlex MCP Server MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the OpenAlex MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for get_entity: 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 OpenAlex MCP Server. Nothing to install.
get_entity 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_entity 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_entity. 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_entity is provided by the OpenAlex MCP Server MCP server (reetp14/openalex-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.
Teams ship this data inside their own products. See what a licence covers →