translate · Localise MCP: Risk & Policy

WHAT IT DOES

What translate does on Localise

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

WHY IT NEEDS A POLICY

Why translate needs a policy

The tool writes translation content for a given key and locale. This is a reversible write operation (translations can be changed back), with medium severity since misuse could corrupt localization data across a product but does not irreversibly destroy data.

From the tool's definition "Add or update a translation for a specific key and locale" — creates or modifies translation data reversibly

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

Recommended rule Ready

Verdict

translate Rate-limited

translate 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": {
    "translate": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "translate_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 Localise, so you can run agents against it safely.

FAQ

Questions about translate

What does the translate tool do? +

Add or update a translation for a specific key and locale. It is categorised as a Write tool in the Localise MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.

How do I enforce a policy on translate? +

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

What risk level is translate? +

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

Can I rate-limit translate? +

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

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

translate is provided by the Localise MCP server (localise-mcp-server). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.