Start a Cortex Harness workflow run for a task. Creates .agents/<task_id>/state.json and returns the first stage
Part of the Cortex server.
Free to start. No card required.
AI agents invoke cortex.workflow.start to trigger processes or run actions in Cortex. Execute operations can have side effects beyond the immediate call -- triggering builds, sending notifications, or starting workflows. Rate limits and argument validation are essential to prevent runaway execution.
cortex.workflow.start can trigger processes with real-world consequences. An uncontrolled agent might start dozens of builds, send mass notifications, or kick off expensive compute jobs. PolicyLayer enforces rate limits and validates arguments to keep execution within safe bounds.
Execute tools trigger processes. Rate-limit and validate arguments to prevent unintended side effects.
{
"version": "1",
"default": "deny",
"tools": {
"cortex.workflow.start": {
"limits": [
{
"counter": "cortex.workflow.start_rate",
"window": "minute",
"max": 10,
"scope": "grant"
}
]
}
}
}See the full Cortex policy for all 32 tools.
These attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access cortex.workflow.start gives an agent. Each links to the full case and the policy that stops it:
Other execute tools across the catalogue. The same approach applies to each: rate-limit and validate the arguments.
Start a Cortex Harness workflow run for a task. Creates .agents/<task_id>/state.json and returns the first stage. It is categorised as a Execute tool in the Cortex MCP Server, which means it can trigger actions or run processes. Use rate limits and argument validation.
Register the Cortex MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for cortex.workflow.start: 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 Cortex. Nothing to install.
cortex.workflow.start 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 cortex.workflow.start 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 cortex.workflow.start. 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.
cortex.workflow.start is provided by the Cortex MCP server (@danielblomma/cortex-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Deterministic rules across all 32 Cortex tools. Per-identity grants. Full audit log. Live in minutes. Nothing to install.
Free to start. No card required.
4,600+ MCP servers and 31,000+ tools scanned and risk-classified.