remove_item

THE RISK

Critical Risk

Why remove_item needs a policy

Removing a task or project from a productivity database is irreversible data loss unless the system maintains backups or trash functionality not mentioned in the description. An AI agent given this tool could accidentally delete important tasks or entire projects. This is more severe than Write (reversible modification) and constitutes a Destructive action.

From the tool's definition Tool name and description explicitly state 'Remove a task or project from OmniFocus' with no mention of undo, archiving, or reversibility. The verb 'remove' combined with 'from OmniFocus' indicates deletion rather than modification.

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

POLICY

How to control remove_item

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

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "hide": [
    "remove_item"
  ]
}

remove_item disappears from the agent's tool list entirely, and any attempt to call it is denied. The rest of the server keeps working.

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

RESTRICT THIS TOOL →

Free to start. No card required.

EXPLORE

Related tools and policies

More OmniFocus MCP Enhanced tools

Destructive batch_remove_items Remove multiple tasks or projects from OmniFocus in a single operation Write add_omnifocus_task Add a new task to OmniFocus Write add_project Add a new project to OmniFocus Write batch_add_items Add multiple tasks or projects to OmniFocus in a single operation Write edit_item Edit a task or project in OmniFocus Write move_task Move an existing task to a project, parent task, or inbox Read dump_database Gets the current state of your OmniFocus database Read filter_tasks Advanced task filtering with unlimited perspective combinations - status, dates, projects,

All 18 OmniFocus MCP Enhanced tools →

Destructive tools on other servers

Android Forensics ADB MCP Server create_full_backup 0xarchive web3_revoke_key Frida Game Hacking MCP clear_scan cPanel MCP Server clear_spam_box

Go deeper

Critical-risk tools in OmniFocus MCP Enhanced → Every critical-risk tool this server exposes, in one view.
All critical-risk MCP tools → Every critical-risk tool across the catalogue, and the policy pattern that contains them.
The MCP Attack Database → Documented attack patterns against MCP deployments — and the policies that stop them.
Blast radius → How much damage one compromised or confused agent can do — and how to bound it.
Tool call approval → Approval gates on individual tool calls: auto-allow, prompt, or deny.
Rate Limiting MCP Tool Calls: A Practical Guide →
MCP Security: Why Prompt Guardrails Aren't Enough →

FAQ

Questions about remove_item

What does the remove_item tool do? +

Remove a task or project from OmniFocus. It is categorised as a Destructive tool in the OmniFocus MCP Enhanced MCP Server, which means it can permanently delete or destroy data. Block by default and require explicit approval.

How do I enforce a policy on remove_item? +

Register the OmniFocus MCP Enhanced MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for remove_item: 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 OmniFocus MCP Enhanced. Nothing to install.

What risk level is remove_item? +

remove_item is a Destructive tool with critical risk. Critical-risk tools should be blocked by default and only enabled with explicit human approval.

Can I rate-limit remove_item? +

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

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

remove_item is provided by the OmniFocus MCP Enhanced MCP server (jqlts1/omnifocus-mcp-enhanced). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every OmniFocus MCP Enhanced tool call.

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

CHECK YOUR STACK →