Medium Risk

lockbox_init

Initialize lockbox in a project. Creates .vaultbox-key, .secrets/ directory, and updates .gitignore.

How to control lockbox_init ↓

What lockbox_init does on Clocktower

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

Medium Risk

Why lockbox_init needs a policy

This tool creates new files and directories (.vaultbox-key, .secrets/) and modifies an existing file (.gitignore). These are reversible write operations (files can be deleted), but misuse could expose sensitive secret storage infrastructure or misconfigure secret management in a project. No code execution or irreversible destruction is implied.

From the tool's definition Creates .vaultbox-key, .secrets/ directory, and updates .gitignore

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

How to control lockbox_init

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 lockbox_init:

policy.json
{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "lockbox_init": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "lockbox_init_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 30,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

lockbox_init 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.

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

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Questions about lockbox_init

What does the lockbox_init tool do? +

Initialize lockbox in a project. Creates .vaultbox-key, .secrets/ directory, and updates .gitignore. 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 lockbox_init? +

Register the Clocktower MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for lockbox_init: 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 lockbox_init? +

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

Can I rate-limit lockbox_init? +

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

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

lockbox_init 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.

Free to start. No card required.

26 Clocktower tools catalogued and risk-classified — across an index of 43,000+ MCP servers.

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