Opens (or resumes) a tutoring session for a LeetCode problem. Must be called before request_hint, list_problem_solutions, or get_problem_solution. Idempotent: re-running on a slug the user is already mid-way through preserves their hint progress.
AI agents use start_problem to create or update resources in Interactive Leetcode — usually the action step of a workflow, after the agent has gathered context. Every call changes real data in your Interactive Leetcode environment.
This tool creates or initializes a session state (a tutoring session) and is idempotent on resume. It modifies server-side session data by starting or tracking progress, which is a Write operation. The blast radius is low — it only affects a user's own LeetCode tutoring session state and cannot harm external systems or data.
From the tool's definition Opens (or resumes) a tutoring session for a LeetCode problem... Idempotent: re-running on a slug the user is already mid-way through preserves their hint progress.
Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access start_problem gives an agent:
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and Interactive Leetcode, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for start_problem:
{
"version": "1",
"default": "deny",
"tools": {
"start_problem": {
"limits": [
{
"counter": "start_problem_rate",
"window": "minute",
"max": 30,
"scope": "grant"
}
]
}
}
}start_problem 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.
Free to start. No card required.
Opens (or resumes) a tutoring session for a LeetCode problem. Must be called before request_hint, list_problem_solutions, or get_problem_solution. Idempotent: re-running on a slug the user is already mid-way through preserves their hint progress. It is categorised as a Write tool in the Interactive Leetcode MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.
Register the Interactive Leetcode MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for start_problem: 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 Interactive Leetcode. Nothing to install.
start_problem is a Write tool with medium risk. Write tools should be rate-limited to prevent accidental bulk modifications.
Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the start_problem 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 start_problem. 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.
start_problem is provided by the Interactive Leetcode MCP server (@sperekrestova/interactive-leetcode-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Start from Interactive Leetcode, 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.
24 Interactive Leetcode tools catalogued and risk-classified — across an index of 43,000+ MCP servers.