update_all_numbers

THE RISK

Medium Risk

Why update_all_numbers needs a policy

This tool modifies document content (page/chapter/paragraph numbers) but the changes are reversible through undo functionality standard in Adobe InDesign. The impact is limited to numbering metadata rather than destructive deletion or financial operations. While it affects multiple elements across a book, the user retains ability to revert changes, classifying it as Write rather than Destructive.

From the tool's definition Tool description states 'Update all numbers (page numbers, chapter numbers, paragraph numbers) in a book' — the verb 'Update' indicates modification of existing data. The scope is document-wide numbering elements.

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

POLICY

How to control update_all_numbers

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 update_all_numbers:

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "update_all_numbers": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "update_all_numbers_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 30,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

update_all_numbers 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.

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.

LIMIT THIS TOOL →

Free to start. No card required.

EXPLORE

Related tools and policies

More InDesign MCP Server tools

Destructive cleanup_document Clean up document (remove unused elements) 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

All 135 InDesign MCP Server tools →

Write tools on other servers

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Go deeper

The MCP Attack Database → Documented attack patterns against MCP deployments — and the policies that stop them.
Argument validation → Checking tool call arguments against schema and policy before they run.
Scoped token → Per-person credentials that grant a defined subset of servers and tools.
Rate Limiting MCP Tool Calls: A Practical Guide →
MCP Security: Why Prompt Guardrails Aren't Enough →

FAQ

Questions about update_all_numbers

What does the update_all_numbers tool do? +

Update all numbers (page numbers, chapter numbers, paragraph numbers) in a book. 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.

How do I enforce a policy on update_all_numbers? +

Register the InDesign MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for update_all_numbers: 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 update_all_numbers? +

update_all_numbers is a Write tool with medium risk. Write tools should be rate-limited to prevent accidental bulk modifications.

Can I rate-limit update_all_numbers? +

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

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

update_all_numbers 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 →