get_scopes

THE RISK

Low Risk

Why get_scopes needs a policy

This tool queries and returns existing governance scope data without modifying, deleting, or executing any operations. It is a straightforward data retrieval function with minimal risk. The scope is limited to reading metadata about governance structures within the workspace.

From the tool's definition Tool name 'get_scopes' and description 'Lists all governance scopes in the workspace' indicate a retrieval operation with no side effects. The word 'Lists' is a classic Read verb pattern.

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

POLICY

How to control get_scopes

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

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "get_scopes": {}
  }
}

get_scopes is read-only, so it stays allowed — but everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

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

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EXPLORE

Related tools and policies

More Engrams tools

Destructive delete_item Permanently deletes an Engrams item. For decisions, patterns, and progress entries: provid Destructive unbind_code_from_item Permanently removes a code binding by its numeric binding_id. Destructive and irreversible Write batch_log_items Logs multiple items of the SAME type in a single call, reducing round-trips. Supported ite Write bind_code_to_item Creates a code binding linking an Engrams entity to file paths via glob patterns. Valid it Write link_engrams_items Creates a directional relationship link between two Engrams items (e.g., a decision Write log_custom_data Stores or updates a custom key-value entry organized by category. Use for any structured d Write log_governance_rule Creates an enforcement rule within a governance scope. Rules define what is blocked or war Write log_system_pattern Creates or updates a named system/coding pattern (e.g.,

All 42 Engrams tools →

Read 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.
Data exfiltration → How read access becomes an exfiltration channel when chained with untrusted content.
MCP token cost → What connecting this server costs in context-window tokens on every request.
Rate Limiting MCP Tool Calls: A Practical Guide →
MCP Security: Why Prompt Guardrails Aren't Enough →

FAQ

Questions about get_scopes

What does the get_scopes tool do? +

Lists all governance scopes in the workspace, optionally filtered by scope_type (. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Engrams MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.

How do I enforce a policy on get_scopes? +

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

What risk level is get_scopes? +

get_scopes is a Read tool with low risk. Read-only tools are generally safe to allow by default.

Can I rate-limit get_scopes? +

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

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

get_scopes is provided by the Engrams MCP server (stevebrownlee/engrams). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every Engrams tool call.

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

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