updateTextFile
Update an existing text or markdown file
This record as markdown: /tools/ark7-google-drive-mcp/updatetextfile.md
What updateTextFile does on Google Drive
AI agents use updateTextFile to create or update resources in Google Drive, usually the action step of a workflow, after the agent has gathered context. Every call changes real data in your Google Drive environment.
| Parameter | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
name | string | — | New name (.txt or .md) |
fileId | string | Yes | ID of the file to update |
account | string | — | Alias of the Google account to target. Optional — defaults to the session/global default account, or the sole authenticated account. Run manage_accounts list to |
content | string | Yes | New file content |
Parameters from the server's own tool schema.
Why updateTextFile is rated Medium
This tool creates or modifies data reversibly by updating file content. It does not delete or permanently destroy data (Destructive), execute arbitrary code (Execute), move money (Financial), or merely read data (Read). The severity is medium because an AI agent could modify important documents, but the operation is reversible through version history or re-upload.
From the tool's definition Tool name 'updateTextFile' and description 'Update an existing text or markdown file' indicate modification of existing data. The verb 'Update' and the scope limited to 'text or markdown file' (not deletion) clearly place this in the Write category.
Risk signalsAccepts raw HTML/template content (content)
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
The rule that runs updateTextFile safely
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: it sits between your AI agents and Google Drive, and checks every tool call against a rule you set before the call runs. Nothing changes on the server itself. For updateTextFile, this is the rule to start with:
updateTextFile 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 Google Drive, apply this rule, and every updateTextFile call is checked against it from then on.
Questions about updateTextFile
Update an existing text or markdown file. It is categorised as a Write tool in the Google Drive MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.
updateTextFile accepts 4 parameters: name, fileId, account, content. Required: fileId, content. The full parameter table on this page comes from the server's own tool schema.
Register the Google Drive MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for updateTextFile: 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 Google Drive. Nothing to install.
updateTextFile 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 updateTextFile 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 updateTextFile. 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.
updateTextFile is provided by the Google Drive MCP server (@ark7/google-drive-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
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