delete_email

THE RISK

Critical Risk

Why delete_email needs a policy

Deleting emails removes data that cannot be recovered through normal means. While the tool offers an alternative (move to trash, which may be recoverable depending on email system), the primary function is deletion. This is a destructive operation affecting user data with potential for unintended loss of important communications if misused by an AI agent. High severity due to potential business impact and data loss.

From the tool's definition Tool name 'delete_email' combined with description 'Delete or move an email to trash' explicitly states irreversible deletion of email data.

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

POLICY

How to control delete_email

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

policy.json

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

delete_email 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 Apple Shortcuts — 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 Apple Shortcuts tools

Destructive cancel_runway_task Cancel a pending/running task or delete a completed task. Saves credits if cancelled befor Destructive delete_custom_voice Delete a custom voice by ID. This is permanent and cannot be undone. Destructive delete_event Delete a calendar event. Destructive delete_file Delete a file or folder from OneDrive. Destructive delete_library_item Delete a file or folder from a SharePoint document library. Destructive delete_list_item Delete an item from a SharePoint list. Destructive opus_cancel_scheduled_post Cancel a scheduled social post BEFORE its publishAt time. Destructive opus_delete_collection Delete a clip collection.

All 423 Apple Shortcuts 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

Critical-risk tools in Apple Shortcuts → 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 →

FAQ

Questions about delete_email

What does the delete_email tool do? +

Delete or move an email to trash. It is categorised as a Destructive tool in the Apple Shortcuts 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 delete_email? +

Register the Apple Shortcuts MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for delete_email: 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 Apple Shortcuts. Nothing to install.

What risk level is delete_email? +

delete_email 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 delete_email? +

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

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

delete_email is provided by the Apple Shortcuts MCP server (@mindstone/mcp-server-apple-shortcuts). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every Apple Shortcuts tool call.

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

CHECK YOUR STACK →