delete_documents_by_field

THE RISK

Critical Risk

Why delete_documents_by_field needs a policy

This tool permanently removes data from a search index based on field matching criteria. Deletion is an irreversible operation that cannot be undone, fitting the Destructive category definition. The high severity reflects that an AI agent could accidentally or maliciously delete multiple documents if field criteria are overly broad or incorrectly specified.

From the tool's definition Tool name is 'delete_documents_by_field' with description stating 'Delete one or several documents from an index by field term match'. The verb 'Delete' and the action of removing documents from an index are irreversible operations.

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

POLICY

How to control delete_documents_by_field

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

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "hide": [
    "delete_documents_by_field"
  ]
}

delete_documents_by_field disappears from the agent's tool list entirely, and any attempt to call it is denied. The rest of the server keeps working.

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

RESTRICT THIS TOOL →

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EXPLORE

Related tools and policies

More Searchcraft MCP Server tools

Destructive delete_all_documents Delete all documents from an index. The index will continue to exist after all documents a Destructive delete_all_keys Delete all authentication keys on the Searchcraft cluster. Use with extreme caution! Destructive delete_all_stopwords Delete all custom stopwords from an index. This only affects custom stopwords, not the def Destructive delete_all_synonyms Delete all synonyms from an index. Destructive delete_document_by_id Delete a single document from an index by its internal Searchcraft ID (_id). Destructive delete_documents_by_query Delete one or several documents from an index by query match. Destructive delete_federation Delete a federation permanently. Destructive delete_index Delete an index and all its documents permanently.

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Go deeper

Critical-risk tools in Searchcraft MCP Server → Every critical-risk tool this server exposes, in one view.
All critical-risk MCP tools → Every critical-risk tool across the catalogue, and the policy pattern that contains them.
The MCP Attack Database → Documented attack patterns against MCP deployments — and the policies that stop them.
Blast radius → How much damage one compromised or confused agent can do — and how to bound it.
Tool call approval → Approval gates on individual tool calls: auto-allow, prompt, or deny.
Rate Limiting MCP Tool Calls: A Practical Guide →
MCP Security: Why Prompt Guardrails Aren't Enough →

FAQ

Questions about delete_documents_by_field

What does the delete_documents_by_field tool do? +

Delete one or several documents from an index by field term match (e.g., {id:. It is categorised as a Destructive tool in the Searchcraft MCP Server MCP Server, which means it can permanently delete or destroy data. Block by default and require explicit approval.

How do I enforce a policy on delete_documents_by_field? +

Register the Searchcraft MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for delete_documents_by_field: 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 Searchcraft MCP Server. Nothing to install.

What risk level is delete_documents_by_field? +

delete_documents_by_field is a Destructive tool with critical risk. Critical-risk tools should be blocked by default and only enabled with explicit human approval.

Can I rate-limit delete_documents_by_field? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the delete_documents_by_field 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 delete_documents_by_field completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for delete_documents_by_field. 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 delete_documents_by_field? +

delete_documents_by_field is provided by the Searchcraft MCP Server MCP server (searchcraft-inc/searchcraft-mcp-server). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every Searchcraft MCP Server tool call.

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

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