simulate_refactor
Simulate a code change and verify it is safe — detects behavior changes and security issues.
This record as markdown: /tools/3d-tech-solutions-code-scalpel/simulate-refactor.md
What simulate_refactor does on Code Scalpel
AI agents invoke simulate_refactor to trigger actions in Code Scalpel. What it does depends on the arguments the agent supplies, and its effects often reach beyond the immediate call: builds kicked off, notifications sent, workflows started.
Why simulate_refactor is rated High
The tool simulates code execution/refactoring and analyzes behavioral changes, implying it runs or symbolically executes code paths to detect issues. Paired with sibling tool 'symbolic_execute', this server clearly runs code analysis pipelines. Misuse could trigger unintended code execution, expose security vulnerabilities, or validate malicious refactors as 'safe'.
From the tool's definition 'Simulate a code change and verify it is safe — detects behavior changes and security issues'
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
The rule that runs simulate_refactor safely
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: it sits between your AI agents and Code Scalpel, and checks every tool call against a rule you set before the call runs. Nothing changes on the server itself. For simulate_refactor, this is the rule to start with:
simulate_refactor stays usable, but rate-capped: a runaway agent can't fire it dozens of times a minute. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.
The button opens the PolicyLayer dashboard: create your workspace, connect Code Scalpel, apply this rule, and every simulate_refactor call is checked against it from then on.
Questions about simulate_refactor
Simulate a code change and verify it is safe — detects behavior changes and security issues. It is categorised as a Execute tool in the Code Scalpel MCP Server, which means it can trigger actions or run processes. Use rate limits and argument validation.
Register the Code Scalpel MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for simulate_refactor: 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 Code Scalpel. Nothing to install.
simulate_refactor is a Execute tool with high risk. Execute tools should be rate-limited and have argument validation enabled.
Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the simulate_refactor 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 simulate_refactor. 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.
simulate_refactor is provided by the Code Scalpel MCP server (3d-tech-solutions/code-scalpel). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
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