Medium Risk

renv_init

Initialise an renv project-local library for the project using renv::init(). Creates renv/ and renv.lock, and updates .Rprofile.

Part of the R Packagedev MCP server. Enforce policies on this tool with Intercept, the open-source MCP proxy.

r-packagedev-mcp Write Risk 2/5

AI agents use renv_init to create or modify resources in R Packagedev. Write operations carry medium risk because an autonomous agent could trigger bulk unintended modifications. Rate limits prevent a single agent session from making hundreds of changes in rapid succession. Argument validation ensures the agent passes expected values.

Without a policy, an AI agent could call renv_init repeatedly, creating or modifying resources faster than any human could review. Intercept's rate limiting ensures write operations happen at a controlled pace, and argument validation catches malformed or unexpected inputs before they reach R Packagedev.

Write tools can modify data. A rate limit prevents runaway bulk operations from AI agents.

io-github-b0ydt-r-packagedev-mcp.yaml
tools:
  renv_init:
    rules:
      - action: allow
        rate_limit:
          max: 30
          window: 60

See the full R Packagedev policy for all 30 tools.

Tool Name renv_init
Category Write
Risk Level Medium

View all 30 tools →

Agents calling write-class tools like renv_init have been implicated in these attack patterns. Read the full case and prevention policy for each:

Browse the full MCP Attack Database →

Other tools in the Write risk category across the catalogue. The same policy patterns (rate-limit, validate) apply to each.

What does the renv_init tool do? +

Initialise an renv project-local library for the project using renv::init(). Creates renv/ and renv.lock, and updates .Rprofile.. It is categorised as a Write tool in the R Packagedev MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.

How do I enforce a policy on renv_init? +

Add a rule in your Intercept YAML policy under the tools section for renv_init. You can allow, deny, rate-limit, or validate arguments. Then run Intercept as a proxy in front of the R Packagedev MCP server.

What risk level is renv_init? +

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

Can I rate-limit renv_init? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the renv_init rule in your Intercept 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 renv_init completely? +

Set action: deny in the Intercept policy for renv_init. 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 renv_init? +

renv_init is provided by the R Packagedev MCP server (r-packagedev-mcp). Intercept sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policies on R Packagedev

Open source. One binary. Zero dependencies.

npx -y @policylayer/intercept
github.com/policylayer/intercept →
// GET IN TOUCH

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