clear_run_formatting

THE RISK

Medium Risk

Why clear_run_formatting needs a policy

This tool modifies existing document content by stripping character-level formatting from a run. While it doesn't delete text, it irreversibly alters formatting properties. However, since formatting changes in Word documents can typically be undone or reapplied, this falls under Write rather than Destructive. The blast radius is medium as misuse could alter document appearance across multiple runs.

From the tool's definition Remove all character formatting from a run, causing it to inherit paragraph/style defaults

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

POLICY

How to control clear_run_formatting

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

policy.json

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

clear_run_formatting 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 Docx — 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 →

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EXPLORE

Related tools and policies

More Docx tools

Destructive delete_column_from_table Delete a column (0-based) from every row of a table. Destructive delete_comment Delete a comment and remove its range markers from the document. Destructive delete_content_control Remove an SDT content control wrapper, keeping its content in place. Destructive delete_custom_property Delete a custom document property by name. Destructive delete_endnote Delete an endnote and its in-body reference. Destructive delete_field Remove a complete complex field (begin through end runs) from the document. Destructive delete_footer Delete a footer by location: default, first, or even. Destructive delete_footnote Delete a footnote and its in-body reference.

All 219 Docx 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 clear_run_formatting

What does the clear_run_formatting tool do? +

Remove all character formatting from a run, causing it to inherit paragraph/style defaults. It is categorised as a Write tool in the Docx MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.

How do I enforce a policy on clear_run_formatting? +

Register the Docx MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for clear_run_formatting: 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 Docx. Nothing to install.

What risk level is clear_run_formatting? +

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

Can I rate-limit clear_run_formatting? +

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

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

clear_run_formatting is provided by the Docx MCP server (securityronin/docx-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every Docx tool call.

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

CHECK YOUR STACK →