# session_start

RARELY NEEDED — the SessionStart hook auto-loads context every session. Call only for an explicit deep re-load (full memories + checkpoints + decisions + health).

Agent View of the PolicyLayer registry record for `session_start`. HTML page: https://policylayer.com/tools/20alexl-claude-engram/session-start

## Facts

- Tool: `session_start`
- Server: Claude Engram (`20alexl/claude-engram`) — https://policylayer.com/tools/20alexl-claude-engram.md
- Homepage: https://github.com/20alexl/claude-engram
- Risk category: Read (Low risk)
- Registry record: grade D, identity unverified
- Server rate-limited: no
- Parameters: 0
- Recommended policy verdict: Allowed

## Example call (MCP tools/call, JSON-RPC 2.0)

```json
{
  "jsonrpc": "2.0",
  "id": 1,
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "name": "session_start",
    "arguments": {}
  }
}
```

## Why session_start is rated Low

The tool loads existing context and memory data into the current session. It reads stored information (memories, checkpoints, decisions, health status) without creating, modifying, or deleting data. The description emphasizes it is 'RARELY NEEDED' and is a 'deep re-load', confirming it is a retrieval operation. Low severity because misuse would at worst cause redundant data loading.

From the tool's own definition: "'auto-loads context every session' and 'full memories + checkpoints + decisions + health' — this is a read/load operation that retrieves stored session state"

Risk signals: Bulk/mass operation — affects multiple targets

## Use case

AI agents call session_start to retrieve information from Claude Engram without modifying anything. It is typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.

## Recommended policy (PolicyLayer)

Verdict: **Allowed**. Enforced by the PolicyLayer MCP gateway (https://policylayer.com/mcp-gateway) before a call reaches Claude Engram:

```json
{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "session_start": {}
  }
}
```

## Other tools on Claude Engram (15)

- `audit_batch` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/20alexl-claude-engram/audit-batch.md
- `claude_engram_status` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/20alexl-claude-engram/claude-engram-status.md
- `context` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/20alexl-claude-engram/context.md
- `convention` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/20alexl-claude-engram/convention.md
- `deps_map` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/20alexl-claude-engram/deps-map.md
- `file_summarize` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/20alexl-claude-engram/file-summarize.md
- `find_similar_issues` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/20alexl-claude-engram/find-similar-issues.md
- `impact_analyze` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/20alexl-claude-engram/impact-analyze.md
- `memory` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/20alexl-claude-engram/memory.md
- `pre_edit_check` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/20alexl-claude-engram/pre-edit-check.md
- `scope` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/20alexl-claude-engram/scope.md
- `scout_search` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/20alexl-claude-engram/scout-search.md
- `session_end` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/20alexl-claude-engram/session-end.md
- `session_mine` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/20alexl-claude-engram/session-mine.md
- `work` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/20alexl-claude-engram/work.md

## For agents

This record is a snapshot. Live verdicts and the full registry:

- Check every server in your MCP config at once: `npx -y policylayer stack`
- Vet a server before you add it: install the mcp-precheck skill — `npx skills add https://policylayer.com` (skill text: https://policylayer.com/skill.md)
- Query the registry over MCP: endpoint `https://api.policylayer.com/mcp` — tools `check_mcp_server`, `check_mcp_stack`, `check_tool`, `search_registry`, `get_change_events`

---

Source: the PolicyLayer MCP registry — one continuously verified record per MCP server. Full record: https://policylayer.com/registry?q=20alexl-claude-engram · API: https://policylayer.com/registry/api · Policy library: https://policylayer.com/policies/20alexl-claude-engram