This record as markdown: /tools/coolify/start-application.md
What start_application does on Coolify
AI agents invoke start_application to trigger actions in Coolify. 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.
Why start_application is rated High
This tool triggers execution of an application that was previously stopped or not running. While not destructive (reversible via stop), and not a read operation, it performs a consequential operational action external to the MCP server itself.
From the tool's definition Tool name 'start_application' and description 'Start an application' indicate triggering an external operational action.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
The rule that runs start_application safely
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: it sits between your AI agents and Coolify, and checks every tool call against a rule you set before the call runs. Nothing changes on the server itself. For start_application, this is the rule to start with:
start_application 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 Coolify, apply this rule, and every start_application call is checked against it from then on.
Questions about start_application
Start an application. It is categorised as a Execute tool in the Coolify MCP Server, which means it can trigger actions or run processes. Use rate limits and argument validation.
Register the Coolify MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for start_application: 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 Coolify. Nothing to install.
start_application 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 start_application 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 start_application. 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.
start_application is provided by the Coolify MCP server (coolify-mcp-server). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
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