Modifies the fields and/or tags of an existing note.
AI agents use updateNote to create or update resources in Anki — usually the action step of a workflow, after the agent has gathered context. Every call changes real data in your Anki environment.
This tool creates or modifies data in a reversible manner—updating note fields and tags can be undone by subsequent modifications. It does not delete data (ruling out Destructive), execute arbitrary code (ruling out Execute), involve financial transactions (ruling out Financial), or merely read data (ruling out Read).
From the tool's definition Tool description states 'Modifies the fields and/or tags of an existing note.' The verb 'modifies' indicates reversible changes to existing data structures.
Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access updateNote gives an agent:
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and Anki, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for updateNote:
{
"version": "1",
"default": "deny",
"tools": {
"updateNote": {
"limits": [
{
"counter": "updatenote_rate",
"window": "minute",
"max": 30,
"scope": "grant"
}
]
}
}
}updateNote 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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Modifies the fields and/or tags of an existing note. It is categorised as a Write tool in the Anki MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.
Register the Anki MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for updateNote: 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 Anki. Nothing to install.
updateNote 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 updateNote 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 updateNote. 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.
updateNote is provided by the Anki MCP server (ujisati/anki-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Start from Anki, add the rest of your stack, and see everything your agents can call. Then put policy on all of it.
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40 Anki tools catalogued and risk-classified — across an index of 43,000+ MCP servers.