create_or_get_project · Handoff MCP: Risk & Policy

WHAT IT DOES

What create_or_get_project does on Handoff

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

WHY IT NEEDS A POLICY

Why create_or_get_project needs a policy

This tool creates or modifies project data in a shared memory hub. While retrieval is a read operation, the 'create' capability makes this a Write action. The severity is medium because misuse could result in unauthorized project creation or modification in a shared system, affecting other agents' workflows, but the impact is reversible and limited to project metadata rather than core system integrity or data…

From the tool's definition Tool description states 'Initialize or retrieve a project' — initialization implies creating new project records, which is a reversible write operation. The verb 'create_or_get' explicitly indicates data creation capability.

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

Recommended rule Ready

Verdict

create_or_get_project Rate-limited

create_or_get_project 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": {
    "create_or_get_project": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "create_or_get_project_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 Handoff, so you can run agents against it safely.

FAQ

Questions about create_or_get_project

What does the create_or_get_project tool do? +

Initialize or retrieve a project in the context hub. It is categorised as a Write tool in the Handoff MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.

How do I enforce a policy on create_or_get_project? +

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

What risk level is create_or_get_project? +

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

Can I rate-limit create_or_get_project? +

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

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

create_or_get_project is provided by the Handoff MCP server (juan-severiano/handoff-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.