Create a group from specific page items by their indices
AI agents use create_group_from_items 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 creates a new grouping structure for existing InDesign page items. Grouping is a reversible operation (items can be ungrouped), and it only organizes existing content without destructive consequences. It constitutes a Write action as it modifies the document structure in a reversible manner, appropriate for a design automation platform.
From the tool's definition Tool name is 'create_group_from_items' and description states it will 'Create a group from specific page items by their indices'. This is a content modification operation that groups existing items but does not delete, destroy, or permanently overwrite data.
Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access create_group_from_items 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 create_group_from_items:
{
"version": "1",
"default": "deny",
"tools": {
"create_group_from_items": {
"limits": [
{
"counter": "create_group_from_items_rate",
"window": "minute",
"max": 30,
"scope": "grant"
}
]
}
}
}create_group_from_items 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.
Free to start. No card required.
Create a group from specific page items by their indices. 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 create_group_from_items: 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.
create_group_from_items 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 create_group_from_items 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 create_group_from_items. 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.
create_group_from_items 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.