obsidian_simple_search

THE RISK

Low Risk

Why obsidian_simple_search needs a policy

This tool queries and retrieves data matching search criteria without creating, modifying, deleting, or executing any operations. It is a passive information retrieval function analogous to search or query operations. The vault remains unchanged after execution.

From the tool's definition Tool name is 'obsidian_simple_search' and description states it performs 'Simple search for documents matching a specified text query across all files in the vault' — a read-only retrieval operation with no modifications or side effects.

Risk signalsBulk/mass operation — affects multiple targets

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

POLICY

How to control obsidian_simple_search

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

policy.json

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

obsidian_simple_search 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 Advanced Obsidian MCP Server — nothing to install.
Add this policy — paste it, or build it visually.
Point your MCP client (Claude, Cursor, anything) at your gateway URL.

CAP THIS TOOL →

Free to start. No card required.

EXPLORE

Related tools and policies

More Advanced Obsidian MCP Server tools

Destructive obsidian_delete_file Delete a file or directory from your vault Execute obsidian_execute_commands Execute one or more commands in obsidian interface Execute obsidian_open_files Open one or more files in the vault in a new leaf Write obsidian_append_to_file Append content to a new or existing file in the vault Write obsidian_patch_file Insert content into an existing note relative to a heading, block reference, or frontmatte Write obsidian_put_file Create a new file in your vault or update the content of an existing one Read obsidian_batch_get_files Return the contents and metadata of one or more notes (.md files) in your vault Read obsidian_complex_search Complex search for documents using a JsonLogic query with support for 'glob' and 'regexp'

All 16 Advanced Obsidian MCP Server tools →

Read tools on other servers

M-Team MCP Server get_torrent_detail YouTube MCP Server search_channel Android Forensics ADB MCP Server parse_browser_history 0xarchive web3_challenge

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 obsidian_simple_search

What does the obsidian_simple_search tool do? +

Simple search for documents matching a specified text query across all files in the vault. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Advanced Obsidian MCP Server MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.

How do I enforce a policy on obsidian_simple_search? +

Register the Advanced Obsidian MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for obsidian_simple_search: 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 Advanced Obsidian MCP Server. Nothing to install.

What risk level is obsidian_simple_search? +

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

Can I rate-limit obsidian_simple_search? +

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

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

obsidian_simple_search is provided by the Advanced Obsidian MCP Server MCP server (tokidoo/mcp-obsidian-advanced). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every Advanced Obsidian MCP Server tool call.

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

CHECK YOUR STACK →