# update_rule

A write tool on the ComplianceCow MCP Server MCP server.

Agent View of the PolicyLayer registry record for `update_rule`. HTML page: https://policylayer.com/tools/compliancecow-cow-mcp/update-rule

## Facts

- Tool: `update_rule`
- Server: ComplianceCow MCP Server (`compliancecow/cow-mcp`) — https://policylayer.com/tools/compliancecow-cow-mcp.md
- Homepage: https://github.com/ComplianceCow/cow-mcp
- Risk category: Write (Medium risk)
- Registry record: grade F, identity unverified
- Server rate-limited: no
- Parameters: 0
- Recommended policy verdict: Rate-limited

## Example call (MCP tools/call, JSON-RPC 2.0)

```json
{
  "jsonrpc": "2.0",
  "id": 1,
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "name": "update_rule",
    "arguments": {}
  }
}
```

## Why update_rule is rated Medium

The tool modifies compliance rules within the ComplianceCow platform. Rules govern policy enforcement and control validation. While updates are typically reversible (Write category), the absence of description lowers confidence slightly.

From the tool's own definition: "Tool name 'update_rule' indicates modification of rules; sibling tools show patterns of creating, adding, and attaching compliance artifacts (add_check_to_asset, add_metric, attach_rule_to_control, etc.), suggesting this tool creates or modifies compliance…"

## Use case

AI agents use update_rule to create or update resources in ComplianceCow MCP Server, usually the action step of a workflow, after the agent has gathered context. Every call changes real data in your ComplianceCow MCP Server environment.

## Recommended policy (PolicyLayer)

Verdict: **Rate-limited**. Enforced by the PolicyLayer MCP gateway (https://policylayer.com/mcp-gateway) before a call reaches ComplianceCow MCP Server:

```json
{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "update_rule": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "update_rule_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 30,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}
```

## Other tools on ComplianceCow MCP Server (208)

- `delete_asset_schedule` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/compliancecow-cow-mcp/delete-asset-schedule.md
- `create_sql_query_evidence` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/compliancecow-cow-mcp/create-sql-query-evidence.md
- `execute_action` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/compliancecow-cow-mcp/execute-action.md
- `execute_cypher_query` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/compliancecow-cow-mcp/execute-cypher-query.md
- `execute_rule` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/compliancecow-cow-mcp/execute-rule.md
- `execute_shell_command` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/compliancecow-cow-mcp/execute-shell-command.md
- `execute_task` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/compliancecow-cow-mcp/execute-task.md
- `prepare_applications_for_execution` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/compliancecow-cow-mcp/prepare-applications-for-execution.md
- `run_metrics_assessment` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/compliancecow-cow-mcp/run-metrics-assessment.md
- `schedule_asset_execution` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/compliancecow-cow-mcp/schedule-asset-execution.md
- `trigger_workflow` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/compliancecow-cow-mcp/trigger-workflow.md
- `validate_sql_query` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/compliancecow-cow-mcp/validate-sql-query.md
- `validate_sql_query_and_cel` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/compliancecow-cow-mcp/validate-sql-query-and-cel.md
- `collect_parameter_input` — Other — https://policylayer.com/tools/compliancecow-cow-mcp/collect-parameter-input.md
- `confirm_parameter_input` — Other — https://policylayer.com/tools/compliancecow-cow-mcp/confirm-parameter-input.md
- `confirm_template_input` — Other — https://policylayer.com/tools/compliancecow-cow-mcp/confirm-template-input.md
- `create_metric_sql_query_evidence` — Other — https://policylayer.com/tools/compliancecow-cow-mcp/create-metric-sql-query-evidence.md
- `create_workflow_custom_event` — Other — https://policylayer.com/tools/compliancecow-cow-mcp/create-workflow-custom-event.md
- `generate_design_notes_preview` — Other — https://policylayer.com/tools/compliancecow-cow-mcp/generate-design-notes-preview.md
- `generate_rule_readme_preview` — Other — https://policylayer.com/tools/compliancecow-cow-mcp/generate-rule-readme-preview.md
- `modify_workflow` — Other — https://policylayer.com/tools/compliancecow-cow-mcp/modify-workflow.md
- `publish_application` — Other — https://policylayer.com/tools/compliancecow-cow-mcp/publish-application.md
- `audit_fetch_assessment_run_details` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/compliancecow-cow-mcp/audit-fetch-assessment-run-details.md
- `audit_fetch_assessment_run_leaf_control_evidence` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/compliancecow-cow-mcp/audit-fetch-assessment-run-leaf-control-evidence.md
- `audit_fetch_assessment_runs` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/compliancecow-cow-mcp/audit-fetch-assessment-runs.md
- `audit_fetch_evidence_records` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/compliancecow-cow-mcp/audit-fetch-evidence-records.md
- `audit_get_uses_by_ids` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/compliancecow-cow-mcp/audit-get-uses-by-ids.md
- `audit_list_all_assessment_categories` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/compliancecow-cow-mcp/audit-list-all-assessment-categories.md
- `audit_list_all_assessments` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/compliancecow-cow-mcp/audit-list-all-assessments.md
- `audit_list_assessment_control_configs` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/compliancecow-cow-mcp/audit-list-assessment-control-configs.md
- …and 178 more: https://policylayer.com/tools/compliancecow-cow-mcp.md

## For agents

This record is a snapshot. Live verdicts and the full registry:

- Check every server in your MCP config at once: `npx -y policylayer stack`
- Vet a server before you add it: install the mcp-precheck skill — `npx skills add https://policylayer.com` (skill text: https://policylayer.com/skill.md)
- Query the registry over MCP: endpoint `https://api.policylayer.com/mcp` — tools `check_mcp_server`, `check_mcp_stack`, `check_tool`, `search_registry`, `get_change_events`

---

Source: the PolicyLayer MCP registry — one continuously verified record per MCP server. Full record: https://policylayer.com/registry?q=compliancecow-cow-mcp · API: https://policylayer.com/registry/api · Policy library: https://policylayer.com/policies/compliancecow-cow-mcp