Create a reference to an existing node in Tana
AI agents use create_reference_node to create or update resources in Tana MCP Server — usually the action step of a workflow, after the agent has gathered context. Every call changes real data in your Tana MCP Server environment.
This tool creates new data (a reference) within Tana workspaces, which is a reversible modification operation. It does not delete data (Destructive), does not directly execute arbitrary code (Execute), does not move money (Financial), and goes beyond simple retrieval (Read).
From the tool's definition Tool name 'create_reference_node' and description 'Create a reference to an existing node in Tana' indicate a create operation that modifies workspace data by adding a reference/link.
Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access create_reference_node gives an agent:
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and Tana MCP Server, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for create_reference_node:
{
"version": "1",
"default": "deny",
"tools": {
"create_reference_node": {
"limits": [
{
"counter": "create_reference_node_rate",
"window": "minute",
"max": 30,
"scope": "grant"
}
]
}
}
}create_reference_node 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.
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Create a reference to an existing node in Tana. It is categorised as a Write tool in the Tana MCP Server MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.
Register the Tana MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for create_reference_node: 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 Tana MCP Server. Nothing to install.
create_reference_node is a Write tool with medium risk. Write tools should be rate-limited to prevent accidental bulk modifications.
Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the create_reference_node 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.
Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for create_reference_node. 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.
create_reference_node is provided by the Tana MCP Server MCP server (tim-mcdonnell/tana-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Deterministic rules across all 12 Tana MCP Server tools. Per-identity grants. Full audit log. Live in minutes. Nothing to install.
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12 Tana MCP Server tools catalogued and risk-classified — across an index of 42,500+ MCP servers.