compose-down

THE RISK

Critical Risk

Why compose-down needs a policy

Docker Compose 'down' stops and removes containers, networks, and (optionally) volumes. This is not easily reversible — running services are terminated and their ephemeral state is lost. While data volumes may persist, the service disruption and container removal make this Destructive. Misuse by an AI agent could take down production infrastructure.

From the tool's definition compose-down: 'Stops Docker Compose services' — stopping/tearing down running services is an irreversible operational action that terminates processes and removes containers/networks created by Docker Compose.

Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access compose-down gives an agent:

POLICY

How to control compose-down

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and Http, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for compose-down:

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "hide": [
    "compose-down"
  ]
}

compose-down disappears from the agent's tool list entirely, and any attempt to call it is denied. The rest of the server keeps working.

Create a free account and register Http — nothing to install.
Add this policy — paste it, or build it visually.
Point your MCP client (Claude, Cursor, anything) at your gateway URL.

RESTRICT THIS TOOL →

Free to start. No card required.

EXPLORE

Related tools and policies

More Http tools

Destructive clean Runs dotnet clean to remove build outputs and returns structured results. Destructive remove Runs Destructive reset Resets the current HEAD to a specified state. Supports soft, mixed, hard, merge, and keep Destructive secret-delete Deletes a repository, organization, or environment GitHub Actions secret. Destructive tag Manages git tags. Supports list (default), create, and delete actions. List returns struct Destructive variable-delete Deletes a repository, organization, or environment GitHub Actions variable. Destructive workspace Manages Terraform workspaces: list, select, create, or delete workspaces. Destructive branch Lists, creates, renames, or deletes branches. Returns structured branch data. Pass

All 202 Http tools →

Destructive tools on other servers

Android Forensics ADB MCP Server create_full_backup 0xarchive web3_revoke_key Frida Game Hacking MCP clear_scan cPanel MCP Server clear_spam_box

Go deeper

Govern code and CI agents → Branch allowlists, approval on merges, and rate caps on the build and pipeline tools agents trigger.
Critical-risk tools in Http → Every critical-risk tool this server exposes, in one view.
All critical-risk MCP tools → Every critical-risk tool across the catalogue, and the policy pattern that contains them.
The MCP Attack Database → Documented attack patterns against MCP deployments — and the policies that stop them.
Blast radius → How much damage one compromised or confused agent can do — and how to bound it.
Tool call approval → Approval gates on individual tool calls: auto-allow, prompt, or deny.
Rate Limiting MCP Tool Calls: A Practical Guide →
MCP Security: Why Prompt Guardrails Aren't Enough →
PolicyLayer vs alternatives → How deterministic, per-call MCP policy compares with gateways, identity layers, and authorisation platforms.

FAQ

Questions about compose-down

What does the compose-down tool do? +

Stops Docker Compose services and returns structured status. It is categorised as a Destructive tool in the Http MCP Server, which means it can permanently delete or destroy data. Block by default and require explicit approval.

How do I enforce a policy on compose-down? +

Register the Http MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for compose-down: 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 Http. Nothing to install.

What risk level is compose-down? +

compose-down is a Destructive tool with critical risk. Critical-risk tools should be blocked by default and only enabled with explicit human approval.

Can I rate-limit compose-down? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the compose-down 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 compose-down completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for compose-down. 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 compose-down? +

compose-down is provided by the Http MCP server (@paretools/http). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every Http tool call.

Start from Http, add the rest of your stack, and see everything your agents can call. Then put policy on all of it.

CHECK YOUR STACK →