This record as markdown: /tools/io-github-portel-dev-ncp/run.md
What run does on Ncp
AI agents invoke run to trigger actions in Ncp. What it does depends on the arguments the agent supplies, and its effects often reach beyond the immediate call: builds kicked off, notifications sent, workflows started.
Why run is rated High
This is an Execute-category tool because it triggers the execution of arbitrary MCP tools. The blast radius is high because an AI agent could invoke destructive, financial, or other harmful operations through this gateway tool without explicit safeguards shown in the description.
From the tool's definition Tool description states 'Execute MCP tool' - the verb 'Execute' combined with the orchestration context (N-to-1 MCP gateway) indicates this tool runs other MCP tools with outcomes dependent on which tool and arguments are passed.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
The rule that runs run 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 run, this is the rule to start with:
run stays usable, but rate-capped: a runaway agent can't fire it dozens of times a minute. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.
The button opens the PolicyLayer dashboard: create your workspace, connect Ncp, apply this rule, and every run call is checked against it from then on.
Questions about run
Execute MCP tool (format: mcp:tool). Provides suggestions if not found. It is categorised as a Execute tool in the Ncp MCP Server, which means it can trigger actions or run processes. Use rate limits and argument validation.
Register the Ncp MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for run: 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.
run is a Execute tool with high risk. Execute tools should be rate-limited and have argument validation enabled.
Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the run 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.
Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for run. 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.
run 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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