High Risk →

cairn_doctor

Run 'cairn doctor --json' and return structured health check results. Use at session start or after writing history/domain files to verify .cairn/ is healthy. Returns JSON with: issues (count), output.status, output.tokens, domains_stale[], skill_guide, skill_md, v0011_residue[].

Part of the Cairn MCP server. Enforce policies on this tool with Intercept, the open-source MCP proxy.

AI agents invoke cairn_doctor to trigger processes or run actions in Cairn. Execute operations can have side effects beyond the immediate call -- triggering builds, sending notifications, or starting workflows. Rate limits and argument validation are essential to prevent runaway execution.

cairn_doctor can trigger processes with real-world consequences. An uncontrolled agent might start dozens of builds, send mass notifications, or kick off expensive compute jobs. Intercept enforces rate limits and validates arguments to keep execution within safe bounds.

Execute tools trigger processes. Rate-limit and validate arguments to prevent unintended side effects.

cairn.yaml
tools:
  cairn_doctor:
    rules:
      - action: allow
        rate_limit:
          max: 10
          window: 60
        validate:
          required_args: true

See the full Cairn policy for all 6 tools.

Tool Name cairn_doctor
Category Execute
MCP Server Cairn MCP Server
Risk Level High

Agents calling execute-class tools like cairn_doctor have been implicated in these attack patterns. Read the full case and prevention policy for each:

Browse the full MCP Attack Database →

Other tools in the Execute risk category across the catalogue. The same policy patterns (rate-limit, validate) apply to each.

cairn_doctor is one of the high-risk operations in Cairn. For the full severity-focused view — only the high-risk tools with their recommended policies — see the breakdown for this server, or browse all high-risk tools across every MCP server.

What does the cairn_doctor tool do? +

Run 'cairn doctor --json' and return structured health check results. Use at session start or after writing history/domain files to verify .cairn/ is healthy. Returns JSON with: issues (count), output.status, output.tokens, domains_stale[], skill_guide, skill_md, v0011_residue[].. It is categorised as a Execute tool in the Cairn MCP Server, which means it can trigger actions or run processes. Use rate limits and argument validation.

How do I enforce a policy on cairn_doctor? +

Add a rule in your Intercept YAML policy under the tools section for cairn_doctor. You can allow, deny, rate-limit, or validate arguments. Then run Intercept as a proxy in front of the Cairn MCP server.

What risk level is cairn_doctor? +

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

Can I rate-limit cairn_doctor? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the cairn_doctor rule in your Intercept 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 cairn_doctor completely? +

Set action: deny in the Intercept policy for cairn_doctor. 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 cairn_doctor? +

cairn_doctor is provided by the Cairn MCP server (cairn-mcp-server). Intercept sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Let agents act without letting them run wild.

Deterministic policy on every MCP tool call. Per-identity grants. Full audit log.

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