start_ec2_instance

Start an EC2 instance

SERVERNcp SOURCE@portel/ncp

High RISK CLASS

Category Execute

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/start-ec2-instance.md

WHAT IT DOES

What start_ec2_instance does on Ncp

AI agents invoke start_ec2_instance 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.

RISK

Why start_ec2_instance is rated High

This tool runs a command to start an EC2 instance, which is an external operation with real-world consequences. It does not retrieve data (Read), create/modify reversible application data (Write), delete anything (Destructive), or move money (Financial). However, it does trigger execution of cloud infrastructure changes.

From the tool's definition Tool name is 'start_ec2_instance' and description states 'Start an EC2 instance'. Starting an EC2 instance executes an operation that triggers external cloud infrastructure.

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

RECOMMENDED RULE

The rule that runs start_ec2_instance 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 start_ec2_instance, this is the rule to start with:

start_ec2_instance Rate-limited

start_ec2_instance 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.

View as policy code

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "start_ec2_instance": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "start_ec2_instance_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 10,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

RATE-LIMIT THIS TOOL → Instant setup, no code required.

The button opens the PolicyLayer dashboard: create your workspace, connect Ncp, apply this rule, and every start_ec2_instance call is checked against it from then on.

FAQ

Questions about start_ec2_instance

What does the start_ec2_instance tool do? +

Start an EC2 instance. 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.

How do I enforce a policy on start_ec2_instance? +

Register the Ncp MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for start_ec2_instance: 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 start_ec2_instance? +

start_ec2_instance is a Execute tool with high risk. Execute tools should be rate-limited and have argument validation enabled.

Can I rate-limit start_ec2_instance? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the start_ec2_instance 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 start_ec2_instance completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for start_ec2_instance. 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 start_ec2_instance? +

start_ec2_instance 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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