AI agents use add_item_to_group to create or update resources in InDesign MCP Server — usually the action step of a workflow, after the agent has gathered context. Every call changes real data in your InDesign MCP Server environment.
The tool modifies document state by adding a page item to a group, which is reversible (the item can be removed or the document undone). This is characteristic of Write operations—it creates or modifies data without permanent loss. Severity is medium because misuse could alter a design project's structure, but changes are reversible and the blast radius is limited to the current document's layout modifications.
From the tool's definition Tool name 'add_item_to_group' and description 'Add a page item to an existing group' indicate modification of design document structure. This is a creation/modification operation on existing document content.
Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access add_item_to_group gives an agent:
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and InDesign MCP Server, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for add_item_to_group:
{
"version": "1",
"default": "deny",
"tools": {
"add_item_to_group": {
"limits": [
{
"counter": "add_item_to_group_rate",
"window": "minute",
"max": 30,
"scope": "grant"
}
]
}
}
}add_item_to_group 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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Add a page item to an existing group. It is categorised as a Write tool in the InDesign MCP Server MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.
Register the InDesign MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for add_item_to_group: 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 InDesign MCP Server. Nothing to install.
add_item_to_group 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 add_item_to_group 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 add_item_to_group. 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.
add_item_to_group is provided by the InDesign MCP Server MCP server (zachshallbetter/indesign-mcp-server). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Start from InDesign MCP Server, add the rest of your stack, and see everything your agents can call. Then put policy on all of it.
Free to start. No card required.
135 InDesign MCP Server tools catalogued and risk-classified — across an index of 43,000+ MCP servers.