cron_parser
Parse a 5-field cron expression (minute hour day-of-month month day-of-week) into a plain-English description. Runs on smart-tools.xyz.
This record as markdown: /tools/io-github-9thshini-smart-tools/cron-parser.md
What cron_parser does on SmartTools
AI agents invoke cron_parser to trigger actions in SmartTools. 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.
| Parameter | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
locale | string | — | Language for the source_url link (default en) |
expression | string | Yes | Cron expression, e.g. "*/15 9-17 * * 1-5" (aliases like @daily accepted) |
Parameters from the server's own tool schema.
Why cron_parser is rated High
cron_parser triggers real processes with real consequences. An agent gone sideways doesn't fire it once. It starts dozens of builds, sends mass notifications, or burns through compute before anyone looks up.
Risk signalsAccepts freeform code/query input (expression)
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
The rule that runs cron_parser safely
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: it sits between your AI agents and SmartTools, and checks every tool call against a rule you set before the call runs. Nothing changes on the server itself. For cron_parser, this is the rule to start with:
cron_parser 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 SmartTools, apply this rule, and every cron_parser call is checked against it from then on.
Questions about cron_parser
Parse a 5-field cron expression (minute hour day-of-month month day-of-week) into a plain-English description. Runs on smart-tools.xyz. It is categorised as a Execute tool in the SmartTools MCP Server, which means it can trigger actions or run processes. Use rate limits and argument validation.
cron_parser accepts 2 parameters: locale, expression. Required: expression. The full parameter table on this page comes from the server's own tool schema.
Register the SmartTools MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for cron_parser: 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 SmartTools. Nothing to install.
cron_parser 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 cron_parser 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 cron_parser. 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.
cron_parser is provided by the SmartTools MCP server (https://smart-tools.xyz/mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
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