activate_license · Kiln MCP: Risk & Policy

WHAT IT DOES

What activate_license does on Kiln

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

WHY IT NEEDS A POLICY

Why activate_license needs a policy

Activating a license key creates or modifies an entitlement/subscription record in the system. This is a Write operation (reversible state change — licenses can typically be deactivated). It is not Financial since no money is being moved directly, though misuse could commit a license seat. Severity is medium because an agent misusing this could activate unauthorized licenses or exhaust available license seats.

From the tool's definition Activate a Kiln Pro or Business license key

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

Recommended rule Ready

Verdict

activate_license Rate-limited

activate_license 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": {
    "activate_license": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "activate_license_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 Kiln, so you can run agents against it safely.

FAQ

Questions about activate_license

What does the activate_license tool do? +

Activate a Kiln Pro or Business license key. It is categorised as a Write tool in the Kiln MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.

How do I enforce a policy on activate_license? +

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

What risk level is activate_license? +

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

Can I rate-limit activate_license? +

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

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

activate_license is provided by the Kiln MCP server (codeofaxel/Kiln). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.