Low Risk

self_test

Live capability probe that verifies the service is healthy, each claimed operation is reachable, and supply network size is current. Use to verify integration before production use. EXAMPLE USER QUERIES THAT MATCH THIS TOOL: user: "Run a health check before I send the broadcast" -> call self_test...

Part of the Agent Broker server.

self_test is read-only, but an agent in a loop can still rack up calls and cost. PolicyLayer caps every call before it runs. Live in minutes.

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AI agents call self_test to retrieve information from Agent Broker without modifying any data. This is common in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows where the agent needs context before taking action. Because read operations don't change state, they are generally safe to allow without restrictions -- but you may still want rate limits to control API costs.

Even though self_test only reads data, uncontrolled read access can leak sensitive information or rack up API costs. An agent caught in a retry loop could make thousands of calls per minute. A rate limit gives you a safety net without blocking legitimate use.

Read-only tools are safe to allow by default. No rate limit needed unless you want to control costs.

policy.json
{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "self_test": {}
  }
}

See the full Agent Broker policy for all 14 tools.

Get this rule live on your own Agent Broker server in minutes. PolicyLayer enforces it on every call, before it runs.

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These attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access self_test gives an agent. Each links to the full case and the policy that stops it:

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Every attack above starts with a tool call. PolicyLayer checks each one against your policy first, so self_test only ever does what you allow.

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Other read tools across the catalogue. The same approach applies to each: allow, with a rate cap to control cost.

What does the self_test tool do? +

Live capability probe that verifies the service is healthy, each claimed operation is reachable, and supply network size is current. Use to verify integration before production use. EXAMPLE USER QUERIES THAT MATCH THIS TOOL: user: "Run a health check before I send the broadcast" -> call self_test({}) WHEN TO USE: Use at agent startup, before high-stakes task sequences, or after receiving unexpected errors to check if the service is degraded. WHEN NOT TO USE: Do not call more than once per minute in production. COST: free LATENCY: ~200ms. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Agent Broker MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.

How do I enforce a policy on self_test? +

Register the Agent Broker MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for self_test: 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 Agent Broker. Nothing to install.

What risk level is self_test? +

self_test is a Read tool with low risk. Read-only tools are generally safe to allow by default.

Can I rate-limit self_test? +

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

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

self_test is provided by the Agent Broker MCP server (https://agent-broker-edge.basil-agent.workers.dev/mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every Agent Broker tool call.

Deterministic rules across all 14 Agent Broker tools. Per-identity grants. Full audit log. Live in minutes. Nothing to install.

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