phase_output

THE RISK

Medium Risk

Why phase_output needs a policy

This tool writes/records workflow phase outputs and artifacts. It creates or stores data (phase results, output artifacts) in a structured way. There is no indication of code execution, deletion, financial operations, or irreversible destructive action. The primary action is persisting/recording workflow outputs, which is a Write operation. Severity is low as misuse would at worst produce incorrect workflow records.

From the tool's definition 'Record the output/results when completing a workflow phase' and 'REQUIRES ACTUAL OUTPUT ARTIFACTS with numbered file naming'

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

POLICY

How to control phase_output

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

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "phase_output": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "phase_output_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 30,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

phase_output 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.

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

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EXPLORE

Related tools and policies

More Structured Workflow MCP tools

Execute build_custom_workflow Build a custom workflow with full control over phases and configuration. Use specific work Execute refactor_workflow Start a structured refactoring workflow to improve existing code without changing function Execute tdd_workflow Start a Test-Driven Development workflow with Red-Green-Refactor cycles Execute test_guidance Get MANDATORY guidance for the TEST phase - execute tests and validate functionality after Write test_workflow Start a focused workflow for writing or improving test coverage Write create_feature_workflow Start a structured workflow for adding new functionality with integrated testing Read audit_inventory_guidance Get guidance for the AUDIT_INVENTORY phase - analyze code and catalog changes Read compare_analyze_guidance Get guidance for the COMPARE/ANALYZE phase - evaluating approaches

All 20 Structured Workflow MCP tools →

Write tools on other servers

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Go deeper

The MCP Attack Database → Documented attack patterns against MCP deployments — and the policies that stop them.
Argument validation → Checking tool call arguments against schema and policy before they run.
Scoped token → Per-person credentials that grant a defined subset of servers and tools.
Rate Limiting MCP Tool Calls: A Practical Guide →
MCP Security: Why Prompt Guardrails Aren't Enough →

FAQ

Questions about phase_output

What does the phase_output tool do? +

Record the output/results when completing a workflow phase - REQUIRES ACTUAL OUTPUT ARTIFACTS with numbered file naming. It is categorised as a Write tool in the Structured Workflow MCP MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.

How do I enforce a policy on phase_output? +

Register the Structured Workflow MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for phase_output: 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 Structured Workflow MCP. Nothing to install.

What risk level is phase_output? +

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

Can I rate-limit phase_output? +

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

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

phase_output is provided by the Structured Workflow MCP server (kingdomseed/structured-workflow). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every Structured Workflow MCP tool call.

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

CHECK YOUR STACK →