# automation

Automation generation and testing. action: generate_rule (from NL), discover_patterns (temporal correlation), shadow_run (dry-run preview), simulate (predict outcome + rule chains), validate_rule (JS syntax check).

Agent View of the PolicyLayer registry record for `automation`. HTML page: https://policylayer.com/tools/deswong-openhab-mcp/automation

## Facts

- Tool: `automation`
- Server: Openhab (`deswong/openhab-mcp`) — https://policylayer.com/tools/deswong-openhab-mcp.md
- Homepage: https://github.com/deswong/Openhab-MCP
- Risk category: Execute (High 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": "automation",
    "arguments": {}
  }
}
```

## Why automation is rated High

While the tool includes validation and dry-run capabilities, it fundamentally generates and executes automation rules within OpenHAB. Rule generation from natural language and simulation of rule chains constitute code execution whose side effects (triggering device actions, state changes, notifications) are determined by AI-generated content.

From the tool's own definition: "Tool performs 'generate_rule (from NL)', 'shadow_run (dry-run preview)', 'simulate (predict outcome + rule chains)', and 'validate_rule (JS syntax check)' — actions that execute code generation and logic simulation."

## Use case

AI agents invoke automation to trigger actions in Openhab. 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.

## Recommended policy (PolicyLayer)

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

```json
{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "automation": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "automation_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 10,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}
```

## Other tools on Openhab (24)

- `manage_item` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/deswong-openhab-mcp/manage-item.md
- `manage_rule` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/deswong-openhab-mcp/manage-rule.md
- `manage_thing` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/deswong-openhab-mcp/manage-thing.md
- `manage_ui` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/deswong-openhab-mcp/manage-ui.md
- `control_media` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/deswong-openhab-mcp/control-media.md
- `execute_batch` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/deswong-openhab-mcp/execute-batch.md
- `manage_system` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/deswong-openhab-mcp/manage-system.md
- `remediate` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/deswong-openhab-mcp/remediate.md
- `schedule_command` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/deswong-openhab-mcp/schedule-command.md
- `send_command` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/deswong-openhab-mcp/send-command.md
- `analyze_home` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/deswong-openhab-mcp/analyze-home.md
- `diagnose_item` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/deswong-openhab-mcp/diagnose-item.md
- `generate_home_blueprint` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/deswong-openhab-mcp/generate-home-blueprint.md
- `get_system_summary` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/deswong-openhab-mcp/get-system-summary.md
- `initial_discovery` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/deswong-openhab-mcp/initial-discovery.md
- `manage_logs` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/deswong-openhab-mcp/manage-logs.md
- `mcp_status` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/deswong-openhab-mcp/mcp-status.md
- `query_items` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/deswong-openhab-mcp/query-items.md
- `query_rules` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/deswong-openhab-mcp/query-rules.md
- `query_things` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/deswong-openhab-mcp/query-things.md
- `resolve_item` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/deswong-openhab-mcp/resolve-item.md
- `manage_link` — Write — https://policylayer.com/tools/deswong-openhab-mcp/manage-link.md
- `manage_persistence` — Write — https://policylayer.com/tools/deswong-openhab-mcp/manage-persistence.md
- `manage_scene` — Write — https://policylayer.com/tools/deswong-openhab-mcp/manage-scene.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=deswong-openhab-mcp · API: https://policylayer.com/registry/api · Policy library: https://policylayer.com/policies/deswong-openhab-mcp