Before executing a multi-step agent plan, estimate the total LLM cost. Returns per-step breakdown and optimization suggestions. If the estimate exceeds your budget, pipe the same plan into burnrate_optimize. Costs 1 credit.
Part of the Plith server.
Free to start. No card required.
AI agents call burnrate_estimate to retrieve information from Plith without modifying any data. This is common in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows where the agent needs context before taking action. Because read operations don't change state, they are generally safe to allow without restrictions -- but you may still want rate limits to control API costs.
Even though burnrate_estimate only reads data, uncontrolled read access can leak sensitive information or rack up API costs. An agent caught in a retry loop could make thousands of calls per minute. A rate limit gives you a safety net without blocking legitimate use.
Read-only tools are safe to allow by default. No rate limit needed unless you want to control costs.
{
"version": "1",
"default": "deny",
"tools": {
"burnrate_estimate": {}
}
}See the full Plith policy for all 15 tools.
These attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access burnrate_estimate gives an agent. Each links to the full case and the policy that stops it:
Other read tools across the catalogue. The same approach applies to each: allow, with a rate cap to control cost.
Before executing a multi-step agent plan, estimate the total LLM cost. Returns per-step breakdown and optimization suggestions. If the estimate exceeds your budget, pipe the same plan into burnrate_optimize. Costs 1 credit.. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Plith MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Plith MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for burnrate_estimate: 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 Plith. Nothing to install.
burnrate_estimate is a Read tool with low risk. Read-only tools are generally safe to allow by default.
Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the burnrate_estimate 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 burnrate_estimate. 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.
burnrate_estimate is provided by the Plith MCP server (https://plith.ai/api/mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Deterministic rules across all 15 Plith tools. Per-identity grants. Full audit log. Live in minutes. Nothing to install.
Free to start. No card required.
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