MCP Tool Reference Low Risk

search_nodes

Search for nodes based on query

Part of the Memory MCP server. Enforce policies on this tool with Intercept, the open-source MCP proxy.

WHEN AI AGENTS USE THIS TOOL

AI agents call search_nodes to retrieve information from Memory without modifying any data. This is common in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows where the agent needs context before taking action. Because read operations don't change state, they are generally safe to allow without restrictions — but you may still want rate limits to control API costs.

WHY ENFORCE A POLICY ON SEARCH_NODES

Even though search_nodes only reads data, uncontrolled read access can leak sensitive information or rack up API costs. An agent caught in a retry loop could make thousands of calls per minute. A rate limit gives you a safety net without blocking legitimate use.

RECOMMENDED POLICY

Read-only tools are safe to allow by default. No rate limit needed unless you want to control costs.

memory.yaml
tools:
  search_nodes:
    rules:
      - action: allow

See the full Memory policy for all 9 tools.

DETAILS

Tool Name

search_nodes

Category

Read

MCP Server

Memory MCP Server

Risk Level

Low

MORE MEMORY TOOLS

View all 9 tools →

SIMILAR READ TOOLS ON OTHER SERVERS

RELATED READING

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What does the search_nodes tool do?

Search for nodes based on query. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Memory MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.

How do I enforce a policy on search_nodes?

Add a rule in your Intercept YAML policy under the tools section for search_nodes. You can allow, deny, rate-limit, or validate arguments. Then run Intercept as a proxy in front of the Memory MCP server.

What risk level is search_nodes?

search_nodes is a Read tool with low risk. Read-only tools are generally safe to allow by default.

Can I rate-limit search_nodes?

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the search_nodes rule in your Intercept 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 search_nodes completely?

Set action: deny in the Intercept policy for search_nodes. 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 search_nodes?

search_nodes is provided by the Memory MCP server (modelcontextprotocol/server-memory). Intercept sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

ENFORCE POLICIES ON MEMORY

Open source. One binary. Zero dependencies.