Searches for relevant memories based on semantic similarity with priority scoring. Returns the best matches with linked contexts, ranked by combined similarity and priority score.
AI agents call retrieve_memories to retrieve information from A-MEM: Agentic Memory System without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool queries and retrieves data from the memory graph system based on semantic similarity scoring. It is a read-only operation that returns ranked search results without modifying, deleting, or executing any operations. The blast radius of misuse is minimal—an agent could retrieve inappropriate memories but cannot alter the system state or cause harm beyond information disclosure.
From the tool's definition 'Searches for relevant memories based on semantic similarity' and 'Returns the best matches' indicate data retrieval with no side effects. No creation, modification, deletion, or external execution is described.
Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access retrieve_memories gives an agent:
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and A-MEM: Agentic Memory System, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for retrieve_memories:
{
"version": "1",
"default": "deny",
"tools": {
"retrieve_memories": {}
}
}retrieve_memories is read-only, so it stays allowed — but everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.
Free to start. No card required.
Searches for relevant memories based on semantic similarity with priority scoring. Returns the best matches with linked contexts, ranked by combined similarity and priority score. It is categorised as a Read tool in the A-MEM: Agentic Memory System MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the A-MEM: Agentic Memory System MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for retrieve_memories: 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 A-MEM: Agentic Memory System. Nothing to install.
retrieve_memories is a Read tool with low risk. Read-only tools are generally safe to allow by default.
Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the retrieve_memories 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 retrieve_memories. 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.
retrieve_memories is provided by the A-MEM: Agentic Memory System MCP server (tobs-code/a-mem-mcp-server). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Start from A-MEM: Agentic Memory System, add the rest of your stack, and see everything your agents can call. Then put policy on all of it.
Free to start. No card required.
15 A-MEM: Agentic Memory System tools catalogued and risk-classified — across an index of 43,000+ MCP servers.