# activitywatch_update_category

Update an existing ActivityWatch category by its name path. Replaces the matching category with new values.

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

## Facts

- Tool: `activitywatch_update_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_update_category",
    "arguments": {}
  }
}
```

## Why activitywatch_update_category is rated Medium

This tool modifies category metadata within ActivityWatch in a reversible manner. It changes configuration/categorization rules but does not delete data, execute code, or affect financial systems. The impact is limited to user-defined category definitions.

From the tool's own definition: "Tool description states 'Update an existing ActivityWatch category by its name path. Replaces the matching category with new values.' The verb 'Update' and 'Replaces' indicate modification of existing data."

## Use case

AI agents use activitywatch_update_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_update_category": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "activitywatch_update_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_add_category` — Write — https://policylayer.com/tools/8bitgentleman-activitywatch-mcp-server/activitywatch-add-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`

---

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