[DEPRECATED] Use describe_python_package instead. Get a brief description of a Python package
AI agents call lookup_python_doc to retrieve information from MCP Package Docs Server without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool only retrieves documentation or package information from an external source. It performs no writes, deletions, code execution, or financial transactions. Even though it is deprecated, its function remains a straightforward Read operation. Severity is low because misuse by an AI agent would only retrieve potentially unwanted documentation, with no blast radius beyond information disclosure.
From the tool's definition Tool description states 'Get a brief description of a Python package' — a retrieval operation with no side effects.
Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access lookup_python_doc gives an agent:
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and MCP Package Docs Server, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for lookup_python_doc:
{
"version": "1",
"default": "deny",
"tools": {
"lookup_python_doc": {}
}
}lookup_python_doc is read-only, so it stays allowed — but everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.
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[DEPRECATED] Use describe_python_package instead. Get a brief description of a Python package. It is categorised as a Read tool in the MCP Package Docs Server MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the MCP Package Docs Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for lookup_python_doc: 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 Package Docs Server. Nothing to install.
lookup_python_doc 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 lookup_python_doc 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 lookup_python_doc. 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.
lookup_python_doc is provided by the MCP Package Docs Server MCP server (sammcj/mcp-package-docs). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Deterministic rules across all 13 MCP Package Docs Server tools. Per-identity grants. Full audit log. Live in minutes. Nothing to install.
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13 MCP Package Docs Server tools catalogued and risk-classified — across an index of 42,500+ MCP servers.