witness_export · Claude Flow MCP: Risk & Policy

WHAT IT DOES

What witness_export does on Claude Flow

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

WHY IT NEEDS A POLICY

Why witness_export needs a policy

The tool exports data (Write category) rather than merely reading it—export implies transformation, serialization, or repackaging of data for external use. This is reversible and non-destructive. Severity is medium because exported audit data could be sensitive and misused if exported to untrusted parties, but the operation itself is not destructive or financial.

From the tool's definition Tool name 'witness_export' and description 'Export chain for external audit' indicate data extraction and serialization of audit chain records for external consumption.

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

Recommended rule Ready

Verdict

witness_export Rate-limited

witness_export 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": {
    "witness_export": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "witness_export_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 30,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

LIMIT THIS TOOL →

Instant setup, no code required.

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: every tool call is checked against your rule before it reaches Claude Flow, so you can run agents against it safely.

FAQ

Questions about witness_export

What does the witness_export tool do? +

Export chain for external audit. It is categorised as a Write tool in the Claude Flow MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.

How do I enforce a policy on witness_export? +

Register the Claude Flow MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for witness_export: 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 Claude Flow. Nothing to install.

What risk level is witness_export? +

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

Can I rate-limit witness_export? +

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

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

witness_export is provided by the Claude Flow MCP server (claude-flow). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.