Set shape properties: opacity, rotation, and text formatting (font, size, color, alignment). Note: fill and border colors are not accessible via scripting.
AI agents use keynote_format_shape to create or update resources in Iwork — usually the action step of a workflow, after the agent has gathered context. Every call changes real data in your Iwork environment.
The tool modifies visual and formatting properties of shapes in a Keynote presentation (opacity, rotation, text attributes). These changes are Write-category because they create or modify data reversibly without executing arbitrary code or causing irreversible deletion. Severity is medium because misuse could corrupt presentation aesthetics or content, but changes remain editable/undoable within the application.
From the tool's definition Tool description states it "Set[s] shape properties: opacity, rotation, and text formatting (font, size, color, alignment)" - these are modifications to existing presentation elements that are reversible.
Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access keynote_format_shape gives an agent:
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and Iwork, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for keynote_format_shape:
{
"version": "1",
"default": "deny",
"tools": {
"keynote_format_shape": {
"limits": [
{
"counter": "keynote_format_shape_rate",
"window": "minute",
"max": 30,
"scope": "grant"
}
]
}
}
}keynote_format_shape stays usable, but capped — an agent stuck in a loop can't make hundreds of changes a minute. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.
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Set shape properties: opacity, rotation, and text formatting (font, size, color, alignment). Note: fill and border colors are not accessible via scripting. It is categorised as a Write tool in the Iwork MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.
Register the Iwork MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for keynote_format_shape: 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 Iwork. Nothing to install.
keynote_format_shape is a Write tool with medium risk. Write tools should be rate-limited to prevent accidental bulk modifications.
Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the keynote_format_shape 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 keynote_format_shape. 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.
keynote_format_shape is provided by the Iwork MCP server (reichenbach/iwork_mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Start from Iwork, add the rest of your stack, and see everything your agents can call. Then put policy on all of it.
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114 Iwork tools catalogued and risk-classified — across an index of 43,000+ MCP servers.