hydra_start_download · Hydra Bridge MCP: Risk & Policy

WHAT IT DOES

What hydra_start_download does on Hydra Bridge

AI agents invoke hydra_start_download to trigger actions in Hydra Bridge. 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 hydra_start_download needs a policy

Initiating a download is an active operation with real-world side effects: it consumes network bandwidth, writes files to disk, and may acquire potentially unlicensed game repacks. It is not a simple write (no reversible data creation in a database), but rather triggers an external process.

From the tool's definition 'Start downloading a game from a specific repack URI' — triggers an external download operation whose effects (network usage, disk writes, file acquisition) depend on the URI argument

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

Recommended rule Ready

Verdict

hydra_start_download Rate-limited

hydra_start_download 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": {
    "hydra_start_download": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "hydra_start_download_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 Hydra Bridge, so you can run agents against it safely.

FAQ

Questions about hydra_start_download

What does the hydra_start_download tool do? +

Start downloading a game from a specific repack URI. It is categorised as a Execute tool in the Hydra Bridge MCP Server, which means it can trigger actions or run processes. Use rate limits and argument validation.

How do I enforce a policy on hydra_start_download? +

Register the Hydra Bridge MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for hydra_start_download: 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 Hydra Bridge. Nothing to install.

What risk level is hydra_start_download? +

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

Can I rate-limit hydra_start_download? +

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

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

hydra_start_download is provided by the Hydra Bridge MCP server (kleirrampage45/hydra-bridge). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.