Search journals and sources
AI agents call search_sources 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 queries OpenAlex's catalog to find and retrieve information about scholarly sources and journals. It is purely informational with no side effects, no data modification, no code execution, and no financial impact. The search operation returns results but does not alter any state in the system.
From the tool's definition Tool performs 'search' on 'journals and sources' - a retrieval operation with no modification, deletion, or execution capability. Aligns with the 'search' example provided in Read category definition.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Search journals and sources. 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 search_sources: 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.
search_sources 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_sources 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_sources. 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_sources 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.
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