add_subtask

SERVERMeridian SOURCE@meridianmcp/mcp

Medium RISK CLASS

Category Write

Parameters 52 required

Recommended Rate-limitedsee the rule below

Registry record Grade F, identity unverified Pull the record →

This record as markdown: /tools/io-github-ajc3xc-meridian/add-subtask.md

WHAT IT DOES

What add_subtask does on Meridian

AI agents use add_subtask to create or update resources in Meridian, usually the action step of a workflow, after the agent has gathered context. Every call changes real data in your Meridian environment.

Parameter	Type	Required	Description
`owner`	string	—	Optional owner for mixed-ownership task chains: 'human' or 'ai'. Omit for a legacy unchained subtask.
`title`	string	Yes	Title of the new subtask.
`parent_id`	string	Yes	ID of the parent sprint item.
`project_id`	string	—
`project_name`	string	—	Project name — an alternative to project_id; resolved to the id internally. project_id wins if both are given.

Parameters from the server's own tool schema.

RISK

Why add_subtask is rated Medium

This tool creates and modifies task/workflow data (Write category) within a persistent memory system for AI coding sessions. It does not delete or irreversibly destroy data (not Destructive), does not move money (not Financial), does not execute arbitrary code (not Execute). The impact is reversible—subtasks can be removed or modified.

From the tool's definition Creates a child sprint item under an existing parent item ('Add a child sprint item'). Modifies persistent state by creating new subtasks, setting status to 'pending', and establishing ownership chains that auto-advance.

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

RECOMMENDED RULE

The rule that runs add_subtask safely

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: it sits between your AI agents and Meridian, and checks every tool call against a rule you set before the call runs. Nothing changes on the server itself. For add_subtask, this is the rule to start with:

add_subtask Rate-limited

add_subtask 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": {
    "add_subtask": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "add_subtask_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 Meridian, apply this rule, and every add_subtask call is checked against it from then on.

FAQ

Questions about add_subtask

What does the add_subtask tool do? +

[SUPPORT] Add a child sprint item under an existing parent item. Inherits the parent's version. Status starts as pending. Rejects if the parent is already done, failed, or skipped. Pass owner='human' or owner='ai' to build a mixed-ownership task chain: owned subtasks added in sequence become a strict chain (each depends on the previous owned sibling), and completing one auto-advances ownership — an AI→human step files a HITL handoff, a human→AI step un-blocks the next AI subtask. The parent stays in_progress until all subtasks are terminal. Persistent-state disclosure: on hosted Meridian, supplied text and project/session metadata are sent to and stored in Meridian's service; self-hosted deployments keep them in the configured local SQLite/Postgres database. This data is visible in the dashboard/API and later project context or handoffs. Delete individual tasks, notes, or decisions where supported, or delete the project/account using the documented controls. Do not include secrets. It is categorised as a Write tool in the Meridian MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.

What parameters does add_subtask accept? +

add_subtask accepts 5 parameters: owner, title, parent_id, project_id, project_name. Required: title, parent_id. The full parameter table on this page comes from the server's own tool schema.

How do I enforce a policy on add_subtask? +

Register the Meridian MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for add_subtask: 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 Meridian. Nothing to install.

What risk level is add_subtask? +

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

Can I rate-limit add_subtask? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the add_subtask 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 add_subtask completely? +

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

add_subtask is provided by the Meridian MCP server (@meridianmcp/mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

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