# set_alt_text

A write tool on the Docx MCP server.

Agent View of the PolicyLayer registry record for `set_alt_text`. HTML page: https://policylayer.com/tools/securityronin-docx-mcp/set-alt-text

## Facts

- Tool: `set_alt_text`
- Server: Docx (`securityronin/docx-mcp`) — https://policylayer.com/tools/securityronin-docx-mcp.md
- Homepage: https://github.com/SecurityRonin/docx-mcp
- Risk category: Write (Medium risk)
- Registry record: grade F, identity unverified
- Server rate-limited: no
- Parameters: 0
- Recommended policy verdict: Rate-limited

## Example call (MCP tools/call, JSON-RPC 2.0)

```json
{
  "jsonrpc": "2.0",
  "id": 1,
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "name": "set_alt_text",
    "arguments": {}
  }
}
```

## Why set_alt_text is rated Medium

The tool modifies document content (alt text for images/objects) but does not delete or destroy data, nor execute arbitrary code. This is a reversible write operation consistent with the server's stated purpose of editing Word documents. Severity is medium because alt text modifications could affect document accessibility or content perception, but the blast radius is limited to metadata.

From the tool's own definition: "Tool name 'set_alt_text' on a document editing server (docx-mcp) that 'enables...precise OOXML-level document manipulation.' Setting alt text modifies document metadata/properties reversibly."

## Use case

AI agents use set_alt_text to create or update resources in Docx, usually the action step of a workflow, after the agent has gathered context. Every call changes real data in your Docx environment.

## Recommended policy (PolicyLayer)

Verdict: **Rate-limited**. Enforced by the PolicyLayer MCP gateway (https://policylayer.com/mcp-gateway) before a call reaches Docx:

```json
{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "set_alt_text": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "set_alt_text_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 30,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}
```

## Other tools on Docx (218)

- `delete_column_from_table` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/securityronin-docx-mcp/delete-column-from-table.md
- `delete_comment` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/securityronin-docx-mcp/delete-comment.md
- `delete_content_control` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/securityronin-docx-mcp/delete-content-control.md
- `delete_custom_property` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/securityronin-docx-mcp/delete-custom-property.md
- `delete_endnote` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/securityronin-docx-mcp/delete-endnote.md
- `delete_field` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/securityronin-docx-mcp/delete-field.md
- `delete_footer` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/securityronin-docx-mcp/delete-footer.md
- `delete_footnote` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/securityronin-docx-mcp/delete-footnote.md
- `delete_header` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/securityronin-docx-mcp/delete-header.md
- `delete_image` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/securityronin-docx-mcp/delete-image.md
- `delete_paragraph` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/securityronin-docx-mcp/delete-paragraph.md
- `delete_section_break` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/securityronin-docx-mcp/delete-section-break.md
- `delete_style` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/securityronin-docx-mcp/delete-style.md
- `delete_table` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/securityronin-docx-mcp/delete-table.md
- `delete_table_row` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/securityronin-docx-mcp/delete-table-row.md
- `delete_text` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/securityronin-docx-mcp/delete-text.md
- `flatten_document` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/securityronin-docx-mcp/flatten-document.md
- `remove_bookmark` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/securityronin-docx-mcp/remove-bookmark.md
- `remove_watermark` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/securityronin-docx-mcp/remove-watermark.md
- `scrub_pii` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/securityronin-docx-mcp/scrub-pii.md
- `compare_documents` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/securityronin-docx-mcp/compare-documents.md
- `xpath_query` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/securityronin-docx-mcp/xpath-query.md
- `audit_document` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/securityronin-docx-mcp/audit-document.md
- `check_accessibility` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/securityronin-docx-mcp/check-accessibility.md
- `compare_contracts` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/securityronin-docx-mcp/compare-contracts.md
- `diff_to_text` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/securityronin-docx-mcp/diff-to-text.md
- `export_markdown` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/securityronin-docx-mcp/export-markdown.md
- `generate_change_summary` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/securityronin-docx-mcp/generate-change-summary.md
- `get_alt_text` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/securityronin-docx-mcp/get-alt-text.md
- `get_body_text` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/securityronin-docx-mcp/get-body-text.md
- …and 188 more: https://policylayer.com/tools/securityronin-docx-mcp.md

## For agents

This record is a snapshot. Live verdicts and the full registry:

- Check every server in your MCP config at once: `npx -y policylayer stack`
- Vet a server before you add it: install the mcp-precheck skill — `npx skills add https://policylayer.com` (skill text: https://policylayer.com/skill.md)
- Query the registry over MCP: endpoint `https://api.policylayer.com/mcp` — tools `check_mcp_server`, `check_mcp_stack`, `check_tool`, `search_registry`, `get_change_events`

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Source: the PolicyLayer MCP registry — one continuously verified record per MCP server. Full record: https://policylayer.com/registry?q=securityronin-docx-mcp · API: https://policylayer.com/registry/api · Policy library: https://policylayer.com/policies/securityronin-docx-mcp
