# activitywatch_add_category

Add a new category to ActivityWatch. The category will be appended to the existing list.

Agent View of the PolicyLayer registry record for `activitywatch_add_category`. HTML page: https://policylayer.com/tools/8bitgentleman-activitywatch-mcp-server/activitywatch-add-category

## Facts

- Tool: `activitywatch_add_category`
- Server: ActivityWatch MCP Server (`8bitgentleman/activitywatch-mcp-server`) — https://policylayer.com/tools/8bitgentleman-activitywatch-mcp-server.md
- Homepage: https://github.com/8bitgentleman/activitywatch-mcp-server
- Risk category: Write (Medium risk)
- Registry record: grade D, identity unverified
- Server rate-limited: no
- Parameters: 0
- Recommended policy verdict: Rate-limited

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

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

## Why activitywatch_add_category is rated Medium

This tool creates new categorical data in the ActivityWatch system. While the modification is reversible (categories can be deleted or updated), it does alter the configuration state of the application. It does not permanently destroy data (Destructive), involve financial transactions (Financial), or execute arbitrary code (Execute), and it goes beyond simple data retrieval (Read).

From the tool's own definition: "The tool description states it will 'Add a new category' and 'append to the existing list', which are create/modify operations with reversible side effects. The name 'add_category' and description make clear this creates new data in the ActivityWatch system."

## Use case

AI agents use activitywatch_add_category to create or update resources in ActivityWatch MCP Server, usually the action step of a workflow, after the agent has gathered context. Every call changes real data in your ActivityWatch MCP Server environment.

## Recommended policy (PolicyLayer)

Verdict: **Rate-limited**. Enforced by the PolicyLayer MCP gateway (https://policylayer.com/mcp-gateway) before a call reaches ActivityWatch MCP Server:

```json
{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "activitywatch_add_category": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "activitywatch_add_category_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 30,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}
```

## Other tools on ActivityWatch MCP Server (9)

- `activitywatch_delete_category` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/8bitgentleman-activitywatch-mcp-server/activitywatch-delete-category.md
- `activitywatch_run_query` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/8bitgentleman-activitywatch-mcp-server/activitywatch-run-query.md
- `activitywatch_get_categories` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/8bitgentleman-activitywatch-mcp-server/activitywatch-get-categories.md
- `activitywatch_get_events` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/8bitgentleman-activitywatch-mcp-server/activitywatch-get-events.md
- `activitywatch_get_settings` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/8bitgentleman-activitywatch-mcp-server/activitywatch-get-settings.md
- `activitywatch_get_uncategorized_events` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/8bitgentleman-activitywatch-mcp-server/activitywatch-get-uncategorized-events.md
- `activitywatch_list_buckets` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/8bitgentleman-activitywatch-mcp-server/activitywatch-list-buckets.md
- `activitywatch_query_examples` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/8bitgentleman-activitywatch-mcp-server/activitywatch-query-examples.md
- `activitywatch_update_category` — Write — https://policylayer.com/tools/8bitgentleman-activitywatch-mcp-server/activitywatch-update-category.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`

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Source: the PolicyLayer MCP registry — one continuously verified record per MCP server. Full record: https://policylayer.com/registry?q=8bitgentleman-activitywatch-mcp-server · API: https://policylayer.com/registry/api · Policy library: https://policylayer.com/policies/8bitgentleman-activitywatch-mcp-server