Medium Risk

update_project

Modify the properties of an existing Todoist project. Allows you to change the project

How to control update_project ↓

What update_project does on Todoist MCP Server

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

Medium Risk

Why update_project needs a policy

This tool updates/modifies project metadata in a reversible manner. It does not delete data (would be Destructive), does not execute arbitrary code (would be Execute), does not involve financial transactions (would be Financial), and is not merely reading data (would be Read). The severity is medium because misuse could reorganize a user's productivity system, but changes remain reversible through subsequent updates.

From the tool's definition Tool description states 'Modify the properties of an existing Todoist project. Allows you to change the project' — the word 'Modify' indicates reversible data changes, and the description confirms it alters project properties without deletion or financial…

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

How to control update_project

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

policy.json
{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "update_project": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "update_project_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 30,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

update_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.

  1. Create a free account and register Todoist MCP Server — nothing to install.
  2. Add this policy — paste it, or build it visually.
  3. Point your MCP client (Claude, Cursor, anything) at your gateway URL.
LIMIT THIS TOOL →

Free to start. No card required.

Related tools and policies

Go deeper

Questions about update_project

What does the update_project tool do? +

Modify the properties of an existing Todoist project. Allows you to change the project. It is categorised as a Write tool in the Todoist MCP Server MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.

How do I enforce a policy on update_project? +

Register the Todoist MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for update_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 Todoist MCP Server. Nothing to install.

What risk level is update_project? +

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

Can I rate-limit update_project? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the update_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 update_project completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for update_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 update_project? +

update_project is provided by the Todoist MCP Server MCP server (koki-develop/todoist-mcp-server). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every Todoist MCP Server tool call.

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

Free to start. No card required.

32 Todoist MCP Server tools catalogued and risk-classified — across an index of 43,000+ MCP servers.

// GET IN TOUCH

Have a question or want to learn more? Send us a message.

Message sent.

We'll get back to you soon.