box_action
Use the connected Box account to search, read, and manage files/folders.
This record as markdown: /tools/cowork-os/box-action.md
What box_action does on CoWork OS
AI agents use box_action to create or update resources in CoWork OS, usually the action step of a workflow, after the agent has gathered context. Every call changes real data in your CoWork OS environment.
Why box_action is rated Medium
While the tool includes read operations (search, read), the explicit mention of "manage" files/folders indicates it can perform reversible modifications to data in Box. This places it in the Write category rather than Read. Severity is medium because the blast radius is limited to the connected Box account, and changes are reversible.
From the tool's definition Tool description states it can "search, read, and manage files/folders" in a connected Box account. The inclusion of "manage" indicates write capabilities (create, modify, move, rename files/folders), not just read-only operations.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
The rule that runs box_action safely
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: it sits between your AI agents and CoWork OS, and checks every tool call against a rule you set before the call runs. Nothing changes on the server itself. For box_action, this is the rule to start with:
box_action stays usable, but capped: an agent stuck in a loop can't make hundreds of changes a minute. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.
The button opens the PolicyLayer dashboard: create your workspace, connect CoWork OS, apply this rule, and every box_action call is checked against it from then on.
Questions about box_action
Use the connected Box account to search, read, and manage files/folders. It is categorised as a Write tool in the CoWork OS MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.
Register the CoWork OS MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for box_action: 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 CoWork OS. Nothing to install.
box_action is a Write tool with medium risk. Write tools should be rate-limited to prevent accidental bulk modifications.
Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the box_action 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 box_action. 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.
box_action is provided by the CoWork OS MCP server (CoWork-OS/CoWork-OS). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
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