add_step

Add a step to the thinking process

SERVERNcp SOURCE@portel/ncp

Medium RISK CLASS

Category Write

Parameters 00 required

Recommended Rate-limitedsee the rule below

Registry record Grade F, identity unverified Pull the record →

This record as markdown: /tools/io-github-portel-dev-ncp/add-step.md

WHAT IT DOES

What add_step does on Ncp

AI agents use add_step to create or update resources in Ncp, usually the action step of a workflow, after the agent has gathered context. Every call changes real data in your Ncp environment.

RISK

Why add_step is rated Medium

This tool creates or modifies workflow/process data by adding steps, which is a reversible operation typical of Write category. It does not delete data (Destructive), move money (Financial), execute arbitrary code (Execute), or simply retrieve data (Read). Severity is medium because misuse could corrupt a thinking/planning process, but the impact is limited to that workflow.

From the tool's definition Tool name 'add_step' and description 'Add a step to the thinking process' indicate creation/modification of process workflow data. The action is reversible (steps can be removed or edited).

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

RECOMMENDED RULE

The rule that runs add_step safely

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: it sits between your AI agents and Ncp, and checks every tool call against a rule you set before the call runs. Nothing changes on the server itself. For add_step, this is the rule to start with:

add_step Rate-limited

add_step stays usable, but capped: an agent stuck in a loop can't make hundreds of changes a minute. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

View as policy code

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "add_step": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "add_step_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 30,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

LIMIT THIS TOOL → Instant setup, no code required.

The button opens the PolicyLayer dashboard: create your workspace, connect Ncp, apply this rule, and every add_step call is checked against it from then on.

FAQ

Questions about add_step

What does the add_step tool do? +

Add a step to the thinking process. It is categorised as a Write tool in the Ncp MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.

How do I enforce a policy on add_step? +

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

What risk level is add_step? +

add_step is a Write tool with medium risk. Write tools should be rate-limited to prevent accidental bulk modifications.

Can I rate-limit add_step? +

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

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

add_step is provided by the Ncp MCP server (@portel/ncp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

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