ingest_docs · MCP RAG Server MCP: Risk & Policy

WHAT IT DOES

What ingest_docs does on MCP RAG Server

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

WHY IT NEEDS A POLICY

Why ingest_docs needs a policy

This tool reads documents from a directory and writes/updates their embeddings into ChromaDB vector storage. It creates or modifies stored vector data reversibly (documents can be re-ingested again), making it a Write operation. The blast radius is medium because misuse could overwrite existing embeddings or cause inconsistent search results, but data is not permanently destroyed.

From the tool's definition Re-ingest documents from the configured documents directory

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

Recommended rule Ready

Verdict

ingest_docs Rate-limited

ingest_docs 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": {
    "ingest_docs": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "ingest_docs_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 MCP RAG Server, so you can run agents against it safely.

FAQ

Questions about ingest_docs

What does the ingest_docs tool do? +

Re-ingest documents from the configured documents directory. Use this if search returns no results or if documents have been updated. It is categorised as a Write tool in the MCP RAG 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 ingest_docs? +

Register the MCP RAG Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for ingest_docs: 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 MCP RAG Server. Nothing to install.

What risk level is ingest_docs? +

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

Can I rate-limit ingest_docs? +

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

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

ingest_docs is provided by the MCP RAG Server MCP server (luizdopc/mcp-rag). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.