AI agents use place_file_on_spread 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 or inserts a file (likely image, graphic, or other asset) into a design document, which is a reversible modification of document content. This falls under Write category rather than Execute because it performs a specific design operation rather than arbitrary code execution. Severity is medium because misuse could add unwanted content to a design, but the change is reversible via undo/deletion.
From the tool's definition Tool name 'place_file_on_spread' and description 'Place a file on a spread' indicate insertion/creation of design content on an InDesign document page. This modifies the document state by adding visual elements.
Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access place_file_on_spread 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 place_file_on_spread:
{
"version": "1",
"default": "deny",
"tools": {
"place_file_on_spread": {
"limits": [
{
"counter": "place_file_on_spread_rate",
"window": "minute",
"max": 30,
"scope": "grant"
}
]
}
}
}place_file_on_spread 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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Place a file on a spread. 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 place_file_on_spread: 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.
place_file_on_spread 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 place_file_on_spread 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 place_file_on_spread. 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.
place_file_on_spread 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.