Evaluate a formula expression against an actual Dock workspace's columns + rows, server-side, returning the same display value the UI's HyperFormula engine would render. Two modes: STANDALONE (omit workspace_slug) — evaluates against an empty grid; useful for =SUM(1, 2, 3) or any formula with no ...
Part of the Dock server.
Free to start. No card required.
AI agents call evaluate_formula to retrieve information from Dock 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 evaluate_formula 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": {
"evaluate_formula": {}
}
}See the full Dock policy for all 64 tools.
These attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access evaluate_formula 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.
Evaluate a formula expression against an actual Dock workspace's columns + rows, server-side, returning the same display value the UI's HyperFormula engine would render. Two modes: STANDALONE (omit workspace_slug) — evaluates against an empty grid; useful for =SUM(1, 2, 3) or any formula with no cell references. IN-WORKSPACE (pass workspace_slug, optionally at) — loads the workspace's grid, evaluates the formula as if pasted into the at cell (or A1 if omitted), resolves real refs against actual data. Returns { ok, displayValue, error? }. Workspace mode requires read access; standalone mode is public.. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Dock MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Dock MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for evaluate_formula: 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 Dock. Nothing to install.
evaluate_formula 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 evaluate_formula 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 evaluate_formula. 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.
evaluate_formula is provided by the Dock MCP server (https://trydock.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 64 Dock tools. Per-identity grants. Full audit log. Live in minutes. Nothing to install.
Free to start. No card required.
4,600+ MCP servers and 31,000+ tools scanned and risk-classified.