run_maintenance

THE RISK

High Risk

Why run_maintenance needs a policy

This tool executes maintenance operations that modify the Claude Code installation state (fixing identified issues, managing backups and archives). While it is not destructive by default (fixes are typically reversible), the automatic execution of unspecified fixes makes it an Execute-category tool.

From the tool's definition Tool description states it "Run[s] maintenance checks" and "Can optionally perform fixes automatically." The word 'run' combined with 'automatically perform fixes' indicates code execution and automated side effects whose extent depends on what issues are…

Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access run_maintenance gives an agent:

POLICY

How to control run_maintenance

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and Claude Code Toolkit, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for run_maintenance:

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "run_maintenance": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "run_maintenance_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 10,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

run_maintenance stays usable, but rate-capped — a runaway agent can't fire it dozens of times a minute. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

Create a free account and register Claude Code Toolkit — nothing to install.
Add this policy — paste it, or build it visually.
Point your MCP client (Claude, Cursor, anything) at your gateway URL.

RATE-LIMIT THIS TOOL →

Free to start. No card required.

EXPLORE

Related tools and policies

More Claude Code Toolkit tools

Destructive cleanup_backups Delete old backup files to free up disk space. Destructive wipe_traces Securely wipe ALL Claude Code traces. Overwrites files with zeros before deletion. Require Destructive clean_claude_directory Analyze and clean the .claude directory. Removes debug logs, empty todos, old snapshots, a Destructive clean_traces Selectively clean Claude Code traces by category, age, or project. Destructive enforce_retention Apply data retention policy by deleting sessions older than specified days. Execute run_doctor Full integrity check: detects corrupted JSONL lines, truncated thinking blocks, oversized Execute start_dashboard Start the web dashboard on a local port. Returns the URL to open in a browser. Execute unstick_session Unstick a Claude Code session that

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Go deeper

High-risk tools in Claude Code Toolkit → Every high-risk tool this server exposes, in one view.
All high-risk MCP tools → Every high-risk tool across the catalogue, and the policy pattern that contains them.
The MCP Attack Database → Documented attack patterns against MCP deployments — and the policies that stop them.
Agent sandbox → Bounding what an agent can execute and where the boundary should sit.
Least privilege for MCP → Granting agents the minimum tool surface the task needs.
Rate Limiting MCP Tool Calls: A Practical Guide →
MCP Security: Why Prompt Guardrails Aren't Enough →

FAQ

Questions about run_maintenance

What does the run_maintenance tool do? +

Run maintenance checks on Claude Code installation. Identifies issues, old backups, and archive candidates. Can optionally perform fixes automatically. It is categorised as a Execute tool in the Claude Code Toolkit MCP Server, which means it can trigger actions or run processes. Use rate limits and argument validation.

How do I enforce a policy on run_maintenance? +

Register the Claude Code Toolkit MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for run_maintenance: 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 Claude Code Toolkit. Nothing to install.

What risk level is run_maintenance? +

run_maintenance is a Execute tool with high risk. Execute tools should be rate-limited and have argument validation enabled.

Can I rate-limit run_maintenance? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the run_maintenance 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.

How do I block run_maintenance completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for run_maintenance. 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.

What MCP server provides run_maintenance? +

run_maintenance is provided by the Claude Code Toolkit MCP server (asifkibria/claude-code-toolkit). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every Claude Code Toolkit tool call.

Start from Claude Code Toolkit, add the rest of your stack, and see everything your agents can call. Then put policy on all of it.

CHECK YOUR STACK →