workflowy_list_nodes

THE RISK

Low Risk

Why workflowy_list_nodes needs a policy

This tool retrieves and lists hierarchical nodes from the WorkFlowy system without creating, modifying, deleting, or executing any operations. It is a straightforward read operation with no side effects or ability to alter state. The low severity reflects that listing nodes poses minimal risk even if misused by an AI agent, as it only exposes existing information without enabling destructive or financial actions.

From the tool's definition Tool name 'workflowy_list_nodes' and description 'List WorkFlowy nodes' indicates a query/retrieval operation with no modification or deletion of data.

Risk signalsAdmin/system-level operation

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

POLICY

How to control workflowy_list_nodes

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

policy.json

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

workflowy_list_nodes 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 WorkFlowy 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 WorkFlowy MCP Server tools

Destructive workflowy_delete_node Delete a WorkFlowy node and all its children Write workflowy_complete_node Mark a WorkFlowy node as completed Write workflowy_create_node Create a new node in WorkFlowy Write workflowy_uncomplete_node Mark a WorkFlowy node as not completed Write workflowy_update_node Update an existing WorkFlowy node Read workflowy_get_node Retrieve a specific WorkFlowy node by ID

All 7 WorkFlowy 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 workflowy_list_nodes

What does the workflowy_list_nodes tool do? +

List WorkFlowy nodes (omit parent_id for root). It is categorised as a Read tool in the WorkFlowy MCP Server MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.

How do I enforce a policy on workflowy_list_nodes? +

Register the WorkFlowy MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for workflowy_list_nodes: 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 WorkFlowy MCP Server. Nothing to install.

What risk level is workflowy_list_nodes? +

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

Can I rate-limit workflowy_list_nodes? +

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

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

workflowy_list_nodes is provided by the WorkFlowy MCP Server MCP server (vladzima/workflowy-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every WorkFlowy MCP Server tool call.

Start from WorkFlowy 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 →