Restore the canvas from a previously saved named snapshot
AI agents use restore_snapshot to create or update resources in Excalidraw MCP Server — usually the action step of a workflow, after the agent has gathered context. Every call changes real data in your Excalidraw MCP Server environment.
This tool restores canvas content from a saved snapshot, which overwrites current canvas state. While the operation modifies data, it is reversible (the current state can be saved as a new snapshot or restored from another snapshot). It does not delete data permanently, nor does it execute arbitrary code or trigger external operations.
From the tool's definition Tool name 'restore_snapshot' and description 'Restore the canvas from a previously saved named snapshot' indicate the tool modifies canvas state by loading a prior version, which is a reversible write operation.
Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access restore_snapshot gives an agent:
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and Excalidraw MCP Server, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for restore_snapshot:
{
"version": "1",
"default": "deny",
"tools": {
"restore_snapshot": {
"limits": [
{
"counter": "restore_snapshot_rate",
"window": "minute",
"max": 30,
"scope": "grant"
}
]
}
}
}restore_snapshot 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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Restore the canvas from a previously saved named snapshot. It is categorised as a Write tool in the Excalidraw MCP Server MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.
Register the Excalidraw MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for restore_snapshot: 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 Excalidraw MCP Server. Nothing to install.
restore_snapshot 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 restore_snapshot 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 restore_snapshot. 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.
restore_snapshot is provided by the Excalidraw MCP Server MCP server (yctimlin/mcp_excalidraw). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Deterministic rules across all 26 Excalidraw MCP Server tools. Per-identity grants. Full audit log. Live in minutes. Nothing to install.
Free to start. No card required.
26 Excalidraw MCP Server tools catalogued and risk-classified — across an index of 42,500+ MCP servers.