floodgate_add_rule

THE RISK

Medium Risk

Why floodgate_add_rule needs a policy

The tool creates or modifies configuration data (rate limit rules) in a reversible manner. While rate limit rules can affect system behavior, the action itself is reversible—rules can be modified or removed. This is a Write operation rather than Execute because it modifies configuration data rather than triggering active operations.

From the tool's definition Tool name contains 'add' and description states 'Adds a new rate limit rule to an existing floodgate.config.ts file', indicating creation/modification of configuration data.

Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access floodgate_add_rule gives an agent:

POLICY

How to control floodgate_add_rule

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and Clocktower, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for floodgate_add_rule:

policy.json

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

floodgate_add_rule 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.

Create a free account and register Clocktower — nothing to install.
Add this policy — paste it, or build it visually.
Point your MCP client (Claude, Cursor, anything) at your gateway URL.

LIMIT THIS TOOL →

Free to start. No card required.

EXPLORE

Related tools and policies

More Clocktower tools

Execute darkroom_optimize Processes images in a directory using shutterbox image pipeline. Scans the directory for i Write clocktower_init Scaffold a croncall.config.ts file in the target project directory. Write darkroom_init Creates shutterbox.config.ts in a project directory. Scaffolds a starter config with thumb Write flagpost_init Creates flagpost.config.ts in a project directory. Scaffolds a starter config with an exam Write floodgate_init Creates floodgate.config.ts in a project directory. Scaffolds a starter config with defaul Write lockbox_init Initialize lockbox in a project. Creates .vaultbox-key, .secrets/ directory, and updates . Write sifter_init Scaffolds a searchcraft.config.ts in a project directory with a starter search schema. Det Write clocktower_add_job Add a job definition to an existing croncall config file.

All 26 Clocktower tools →

Write tools on other servers

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Go deeper

The MCP Attack Database → Documented attack patterns against MCP deployments — and the policies that stop them.
Argument validation → Checking tool call arguments against schema and policy before they run.
Scoped token → Per-person credentials that grant a defined subset of servers and tools.
Rate Limiting MCP Tool Calls: A Practical Guide →
MCP Security: Why Prompt Guardrails Aren't Enough →

FAQ

Questions about floodgate_add_rule

What does the floodgate_add_rule tool do? +

Adds a new rate limit rule to an existing floodgate.config.ts file. It is categorised as a Write tool in the Clocktower MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.

How do I enforce a policy on floodgate_add_rule? +

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

What risk level is floodgate_add_rule? +

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

Can I rate-limit floodgate_add_rule? +

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

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

floodgate_add_rule is provided by the Clocktower MCP server (sathergate/sathergate-toolkit). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every Clocktower tool call.

Start from Clocktower, add the rest of your stack, and see everything your agents can call. Then put policy on all of it.

CHECK YOUR STACK →