remove

THE RISK

Critical Risk

Why remove needs a policy

A 'remove' operation on a package manager irreversibly removes packages from the project dependencies. While node_modules can be reinstalled, the removal modifies package.json and lockfiles and could break builds.

From the tool's definition Tool name is 'remove' on an npm/pnpm operations server, implying removal/uninstallation of packages

Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access remove gives an agent:

POLICY

How to control remove

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

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "hide": [
    "remove"
  ]
}

remove 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 Npm — 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 Npm tools

Destructive clean Runs dotnet clean to remove build outputs and returns structured results. 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 package-clean Cleans Swift package build artifacts and returns structured result. Destructive branch Lists, creates, renames, or deletes branches. Returns structured branch data. Pass

All 202 Npm 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 Npm → 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 remove

What does the remove tool do? +

Runs. It is categorised as a Destructive tool in the Npm 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 remove? +

Register the Npm MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for remove: 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 Npm. Nothing to install.

What risk level is remove? +

remove 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 remove? +

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

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

remove is provided by the Npm 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 Npm tool call.

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

CHECK YOUR STACK →