format_cells

What format_cells does on Ncp

AI agents use format_cells 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.

Why format_cells is rated Medium

This tool creates or modifies data reversibly in Google Sheets. Formatting changes can be undone and do not permanently delete or overwrite content. While it modifies a shared document (medium blast radius if misused to obscure data or disrupt collaboration), it falls under Write rather than Execute or Destructive because the operation is straightforward, non-code-executing, and fully reversible.

From the tool's definition Tool name is 'format_cells' and description states 'Format cells in Google Sheets' — formatting is a reversible modification operation that changes cell properties (style, alignment, colors, etc.) without destroying data.

The rule that runs format_cells 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 format_cells, this is the rule to start with:

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

Questions about format_cells