update_note_fields

THE RISK

Medium Risk

Why update_note_fields needs a policy

This tool modifies flashcard note content reversibly—changes can be undone through subsequent updates. It does not delete data (would be Destructive) or execute arbitrary code (would be Execute). The medium severity reflects that an AI agent could corrupt study material or introduce errors into flashcard content, but the impact is limited to Anki notes and is recoverable.

From the tool's definition Tool name contains 'update' and description states 'Modify the text content of one note's fields', indicating reversible modification of existing data.

Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access update_note_fields gives an agent:

POLICY

How to control update_note_fields

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and MCP-AnkiConnect, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for update_note_fields:

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "update_note_fields": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "update_note_fields_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 30,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

update_note_fields 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.

Create a free account and register MCP-AnkiConnect — nothing to install.
Add this policy — paste it, or build it visually.
Point your MCP client (Claude, Cursor, anything) at your gateway URL.

LIMIT THIS TOOL →

Free to start. No card required.

EXPLORE

Related tools and policies

More MCP-AnkiConnect tools

Write change_deck Move cards (by card ID) into a different deck. Write reschedule_cards Set due date, forget, or relearn one or more cards. Write set_suspended Suspend or unsuspend one or more cards. Write submit_reviews Submit answers for reviewed cards Write update_note_tags Add and/or remove tags on one or more notes. Read get_due_cards Get cards that are due for review Read inspect_cards View per-card state for given card IDs or note IDs. Sparse-fieldset selection via the prop Read num_cards_due_today Get the number of cards due today

All 10 MCP-AnkiConnect tools →

Write tools on other servers

M-Team MCP Server download_torrent YouTube MCP Server generate_video_title Android Forensics ADB MCP Server combine_reports 0xarchive web3_signup

Go deeper

The MCP Attack Database → Documented attack patterns against MCP deployments — and the policies that stop them.
Argument validation → Checking tool call arguments against schema and policy before they run.
Scoped token → Per-person credentials that grant a defined subset of servers and tools.
Rate Limiting MCP Tool Calls: A Practical Guide →
MCP Security: Why Prompt Guardrails Aren't Enough →

FAQ

Questions about update_note_fields

What does the update_note_fields tool do? +

Modify the text content of one note's fields. Uses the same MathJax/code conversions as add_note. It is categorised as a Write tool in the MCP-AnkiConnect MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.

How do I enforce a policy on update_note_fields? +

Register the MCP-AnkiConnect MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for update_note_fields: 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 MCP-AnkiConnect. Nothing to install.

What risk level is update_note_fields? +

update_note_fields is a Write tool with medium risk. Write tools should be rate-limited to prevent accidental bulk modifications.

Can I rate-limit update_note_fields? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the update_note_fields 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.

How do I block update_note_fields completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for update_note_fields. 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.

What MCP server provides update_note_fields? +

update_note_fields is provided by the MCP-AnkiConnect MCP server (samefarrar/mcp-ankiconnect). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every MCP-AnkiConnect tool call.

Start from MCP-AnkiConnect, add the rest of your stack, and see everything your agents can call. Then put policy on all of it.

CHECK YOUR STACK →