search_content

THE RISK

Low Risk

Why search_content needs a policy

This tool performs content retrieval and analysis only. Searching manuscript content is a read-only operation with no side effects, no code execution, no data modification, and no destructive capability. The low severity reflects minimal blast radius even if misused — an AI agent using this tool cannot damage data, leak sensitive information at scale, or trigger external operations.

From the tool's definition Semantic search across all manuscript content — described as a search operation that retrieves and queries data without modifying or executing external operations.

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

POLICY

How to control search_content

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and Claude Writer's Aid MCP, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for search_content:

policy.json

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

search_content 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 Claude Writer's Aid MCP — 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 Claude Writer's Aid MCP tools

Write add_style_decision Record a style decision for consistency Write generate_outline Create hierarchical outline from content Write mark_mistake Record a writing mistake to avoid repeating it Write set_requirement Store a publisher or style requirement Write suggest_cross_references Suggest where to add links between sections Read analyze_link_graph Visualize connections between documents Read check_before_edit Check context before editing a file - get warnings about past mistakes, decisions, and req Read check_readability Analyze readability metrics

All 34 Claude Writer's Aid MCP 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 search_content

What does the search_content tool do? +

Semantic search across all manuscript content. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Claude Writer's Aid MCP MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.

How do I enforce a policy on search_content? +

Register the Claude Writer's Aid MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for search_content: 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 Claude Writer's Aid MCP. Nothing to install.

What risk level is search_content? +

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

Can I rate-limit search_content? +

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

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

search_content is provided by the Claude Writer's Aid MCP server (xiaolai/claude-writers-aid-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every Claude Writer's Aid MCP tool call.

Start from Claude Writer's Aid MCP, add the rest of your stack, and see everything your agents can call. Then put policy on all of it.

CHECK YOUR STACK →