format-check

THE RISK

Low Risk

Why format-check needs a policy

This is a read-only operation that queries the formatting state of files and returns results. There are no side effects, no data modifications, no code execution, and no destructive actions. The output is informational only, making it a Read category tool with low severity.

From the tool's definition The tool "Checks if files are formatted and returns a structured list of files needing formatting" performs a check/inspection operation with no modification. It retrieves and reports formatting status without making changes to files.

Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access format-check gives an agent:

POLICY

How to control format-check

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

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "format-check": {}
  }
}

format-check is read-only, so it stays allowed — but everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

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

CAP THIS TOOL →

Free to start. No card required.

EXPLORE

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All 202 Make tools →

Read tools on other servers

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Go deeper

Roll out MCP under one policy → Per-person scoped tokens, one central policy, and full audit across every server your team connects.
The MCP Attack Database → Documented attack patterns against MCP deployments — and the policies that stop them.
Data exfiltration → How read access becomes an exfiltration channel when chained with untrusted content.
MCP token cost → What connecting this server costs in context-window tokens on every request.
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 format-check

What does the format-check tool do? +

Checks if files are formatted and returns a structured list of files needing formatting. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Make MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.

How do I enforce a policy on format-check? +

Register the Make MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for format-check: 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 Make. Nothing to install.

What risk level is format-check? +

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

Can I rate-limit format-check? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the format-check 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 format-check completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for format-check. 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 format-check? +

format-check is provided by the Make MCP server (Dave-London/Pare). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every Make tool call.

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

CHECK YOUR STACK →