This record as markdown: /tools/actual/actual-tags-create.md
What actual_tags_create does on Actual
AI agents use actual_tags_create to create or update resources in Actual, usually the action step of a workflow, after the agent has gathered context. Every call changes real data in your Actual environment.
Why actual_tags_create is rated Medium
This tool creates a new tag (metadata/categorization entity) in a financial management system. Tag creation is reversible (tags can be deleted), so it falls under Write rather than Destructive. It has medium severity because misuse could create numerous tags that clutter the financial system, but the impact is contained to organizational metadata rather than financial transactions or account data.
From the tool's definition Tool name 'actual_tags_create' and description 'Create a new tag in Actual Budget' indicate data creation. The incomplete description ('The') suggests limited documentation.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
The rule that runs actual_tags_create safely
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: it sits between your AI agents and Actual, and checks every tool call against a rule you set before the call runs. Nothing changes on the server itself. For actual_tags_create, this is the rule to start with:
actual_tags_create stays usable, but capped: an agent stuck in a loop can't make hundreds of changes a minute. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.
The button opens the PolicyLayer dashboard: create your workspace, connect Actual, apply this rule, and every actual_tags_create call is checked against it from then on.
Questions about actual_tags_create
Create a new tag in Actual Budget. The. It is categorised as a Write tool in the Actual MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.
Register the Actual MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for actual_tags_create: 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 Actual. Nothing to install.
actual_tags_create is a Write tool with medium risk. Write tools should be rate-limited to prevent accidental bulk modifications.
Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the actual_tags_create 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 actual_tags_create. 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.
actual_tags_create is provided by the Actual MCP server (actual-mcp-server). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
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