edit_file

Perform surgical text replacements in files.

SERVERCoWork OS SOURCECoWork-OS/CoWork-OS

Medium RISK CLASS

Category Write

Parameters 00 required

Recommended Rate-limitedsee the rule below

Registry record Grade F, identity unverified Pull the record →

This record as markdown: /tools/cowork-os/edit-file.md

WHAT IT DOES

What edit_file does on CoWork OS

AI agents use edit_file 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.

RISK

Why edit_file is rated Medium

This tool creates or modifies data reversibly by editing file contents. It does not delete files (Destructive) or execute code (Execute), but rather updates text within files. The severity is high because uncontrolled file edits by an AI agent could corrupt critical configuration files, source code, or data files, though the effects are theoretically reversible through version control or backups.

From the tool's definition Tool description states it performs 'surgical text replacements in files.' The verb 'edit' and phrase 'text replacements' clearly indicate modification of existing file content.

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

RECOMMENDED RULE

The rule that runs edit_file 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 edit_file, this is the rule to start with:

edit_file Rate-limited

edit_file 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.

View as policy code

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "edit_file": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "edit_file_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 30,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

LIMIT THIS TOOL → Instant setup, no code required.

The button opens the PolicyLayer dashboard: create your workspace, connect CoWork OS, apply this rule, and every edit_file call is checked against it from then on.

FAQ

Questions about edit_file

What does the edit_file tool do? +

Perform surgical text replacements in files. 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.

How do I enforce a policy on edit_file? +

Register the CoWork OS MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for edit_file: 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.

What risk level is edit_file? +

edit_file is a Write tool with medium risk. Write tools should be rate-limited to prevent accidental bulk modifications.

Can I rate-limit edit_file? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the edit_file 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.

How do I block edit_file completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for edit_file. 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 edit_file? +

edit_file 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.

KEEP EXPLORING

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edit_screen on Stitch MCP Server → The MCP Attack Database →

Guides

Govern customer-ops agents →Argument validation →Scoped token →