cleanup_document

THE RISK

Critical Risk

Why cleanup_document needs a policy

Removing elements from a document is likely irreversible — once unused elements are purged, they cannot be recovered without an undo or backup. This constitutes a destructive operation with a high blast radius, as an AI agent could inadvertently remove content the user still needs, and the action may not be easily reversible depending on document state.

From the tool's definition Clean up document (remove unused elements)

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

POLICY

How to control cleanup_document

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 cleanup_document:

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "hide": [
    "cleanup_document"
  ]
}

cleanup_document disappears from the agent's tool list entirely, and any attempt to call it is denied. The rest of the server keeps working.

Create a free account and register InDesign 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.

RESTRICT THIS TOOL →

Free to start. No card required.

EXPLORE

Related tools and policies

More InDesign MCP Server tools

Destructive clear_session Clear all session data including page dimensions and document information Destructive delete_all_page_layout_snapshots Delete all layout snapshots for a page Destructive delete_master_spread Delete a master spread Destructive delete_page Delete a page from the document Destructive delete_page_item Delete a page item Destructive delete_page_layout_snapshot Delete the layout snapshot for a page Destructive delete_spread Delete a spread Execute execute_indesign_code Execute custom InDesign ExtendScript code

All 135 InDesign MCP Server tools →

Destructive tools on other servers

Android Forensics ADB MCP Server create_full_backup 0xarchive web3_revoke_key Frida Game Hacking MCP clear_scan cPanel MCP Server clear_spam_box

Go deeper

Critical-risk tools in InDesign MCP Server → Every critical-risk tool this server exposes, in one view.
All critical-risk MCP tools → Every critical-risk tool across the catalogue, and the policy pattern that contains them.
The MCP Attack Database → Documented attack patterns against MCP deployments — and the policies that stop them.
Blast radius → How much damage one compromised or confused agent can do — and how to bound it.
Tool call approval → Approval gates on individual tool calls: auto-allow, prompt, or deny.
Rate Limiting MCP Tool Calls: A Practical Guide →
MCP Security: Why Prompt Guardrails Aren't Enough →

FAQ

Questions about cleanup_document

What does the cleanup_document tool do? +

Clean up document (remove unused elements). It is categorised as a Destructive tool in the InDesign MCP Server MCP Server, which means it can permanently delete or destroy data. Block by default and require explicit approval.

How do I enforce a policy on cleanup_document? +

Register the InDesign MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for cleanup_document: 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.

What risk level is cleanup_document? +

cleanup_document is a Destructive tool with critical risk. Critical-risk tools should be blocked by default and only enabled with explicit human approval.

Can I rate-limit cleanup_document? +

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

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

cleanup_document 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.

Enforce policy on every InDesign MCP Server tool call.

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.

CHECK YOUR STACK →