youtube_download_video · Simple MCP: Risk & Policy

WHAT IT DOES

What youtube_download_video does on Simple MCP

AI agents invoke youtube_download_video to trigger actions in Simple MCP. What it does depends on the arguments the agent supplies, and its effects often reach beyond the immediate call — builds kicked off, notifications sent, workflows started.

WHY IT NEEDS A POLICY

Why youtube_download_video needs a policy

Downloading a YouTube video triggers an external network operation and writes a file to the local filesystem. It spans Write and Execute categories; since it involves running an external process/network operation with side effects that depend on the provided URL argument, Execute is the most appropriate category. Misuse could lead to copyright infringement, disk space exhaustion, or downloading malicious content.

From the tool's definition Download a YouTube video in MP4 format

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

Recommended rule Ready

Verdict

youtube_download_video Rate-limited

youtube_download_video stays usable, but rate-capped — a runaway agent can't fire it dozens of times a minute. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

View as policy code

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "youtube_download_video": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "youtube_download_video_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 10,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

RATE-LIMIT THIS TOOL →

Instant setup, no code required.

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: every tool call is checked against your rule before it reaches Simple MCP, so you can run agents against it safely.

FAQ

Questions about youtube_download_video

What does the youtube_download_video tool do? +

Download a YouTube video in MP4 format. It is categorised as a Execute tool in the Simple MCP MCP Server, which means it can trigger actions or run processes. Use rate limits and argument validation.

How do I enforce a policy on youtube_download_video? +

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

What risk level is youtube_download_video? +

youtube_download_video is a Execute tool with high risk. Execute tools should be rate-limited and have argument validation enabled.

Can I rate-limit youtube_download_video? +

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

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

youtube_download_video is provided by the Simple MCP server (karar-hayder/simple-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.