update_local_mcp
Checks for and installs LMCP updates. Installing downloads the update and RESTARTS LMCP (the AI client briefly reconnects), so it requires confirm=true. Pass check_only=true to only report whether an update is available, with no download or restart.
This record as markdown: /tools/com-local-mcp-local-mcp/update-local-mcp.md
What update_local_mcp does on Local
AI agents invoke update_local_mcp to trigger actions in Local. What it does depends on the arguments the agent supplies, and its effects often reach beyond the immediate call: builds kicked off, notifications sent, workflows started.
| Parameter | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
confirm | boolean | — | Must be true to actually install (which restarts LMCP). Without it, returns availability + a preview. |
check_only | boolean | — | If true, only report availability — no download, no install, no restart. |
Parameters from the server's own tool schema.
Why update_local_mcp is rated High
This tool downloads and installs software updates and restarts the MCP service, which constitutes executing an external operation with system-level side effects. It modifies the running software environment and disrupts active connections. While it has a confirmation gate, misuse could destabilize the AI client connection or install unintended versions.
From the tool's definition 'installs LMCP updates', 'downloads the update and RESTARTS LMCP', 'requires confirm=true'
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
The rule that runs update_local_mcp safely
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: it sits between your AI agents and Local, and checks every tool call against a rule you set before the call runs. Nothing changes on the server itself. For update_local_mcp, this is the rule to start with:
update_local_mcp 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.
The button opens the PolicyLayer dashboard: create your workspace, connect Local, apply this rule, and every update_local_mcp call is checked against it from then on.
Questions about update_local_mcp
Checks for and installs LMCP updates. Installing downloads the update and RESTARTS LMCP (the AI client briefly reconnects), so it requires confirm=true. Pass check_only=true to only report whether an update is available, with no download or restart. It is categorised as a Execute tool in the Local MCP Server, which means it can trigger actions or run processes. Use rate limits and argument validation.
update_local_mcp accepts 2 parameters: confirm, check_only. The full parameter table on this page comes from the server's own tool schema.
Register the Local MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for update_local_mcp: 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 Local. Nothing to install.
update_local_mcp is a Execute tool with high risk. Execute tools should be rate-limited and have argument validation enabled.
Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the update_local_mcp 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 update_local_mcp. 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.
update_local_mcp is provided by the Local MCP server (local-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
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