set_quirks
Set personality quirks like catchphrases, sign-offs, or analogy themes. Use when the user wants the assistant
This record as markdown: /tools/cowork-os/set-quirks.md
What set_quirks does on CoWork OS
AI agents use set_quirks 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 set_quirks is rated Medium
This tool creates or modifies configuration data (personality traits) associated with the assistant. The changes are reversible—quirks can be overwritten or reset. There is no code execution, deletion, or external side effects. The blast radius is minimal since personality modifications only affect how the assistant communicates with the user.
From the tool's definition Tool description states 'Set personality quirks' and references modifying assistant attributes like 'catchphrases, sign-offs, or analogy themes.' The verb 'set' and the context of writing user preferences indicates data modification.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
The rule that runs set_quirks 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 set_quirks, this is the rule to start with:
set_quirks 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 set_quirks call is checked against it from then on.
Questions about set_quirks
Set personality quirks like catchphrases, sign-offs, or analogy themes. Use when the user wants the assistant. 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 set_quirks: 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.
set_quirks 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 set_quirks 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 set_quirks. 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.
set_quirks 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.
More on CoWork OS, and thousands of servers like it.
This server
Across the catalogue