patch_index

THE RISK

Medium Risk

Why patch_index needs a policy

This tool modifies index configuration settings in a non-destructive manner. While it alters existing configuration, the changes are reversible and partial (PATCH semantics), which places it in the Write category rather than Execute or Destructive.

From the tool's definition Tool description states it makes "partial configuration changes to an index schema (search_fields, weight_multipliers, etc.)". The verb "patch" combined with "changes" and the modification targets (schema configuration) indicate reversible data modification.

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

POLICY

How to control patch_index

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 patch_index:

policy.json

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

patch_index 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 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.

LIMIT THIS TOOL →

Free to start. No card required.

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_field Delete one or several documents from an index by field term match (e.g., {id: Destructive delete_documents_by_query Delete one or several documents from an index by query match. Destructive delete_federation Delete a federation permanently.

All 48 Searchcraft MCP Server tools →

Write tools on other servers

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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 patch_index

What does the patch_index tool do? +

Make partial configuration changes to an index schema (search_fields, weight_multipliers, etc.). It is categorised as a Write tool in the Searchcraft MCP Server MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.

How do I enforce a policy on patch_index? +

Register the Searchcraft MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for patch_index: 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 patch_index? +

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

Can I rate-limit patch_index? +

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

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

patch_index 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.

CHECK YOUR STACK →