Medium Risk

openspec_create_change

Create a new change from a template

How to control openspec_create_change ↓

What openspec_create_change does on OpenSpec MCP

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

Medium Risk

Why openspec_create_change needs a policy

This tool creates a new change object within the OpenSpec system. Creation is a Write operation (reversible via deletion or archiving, as evidenced by sibling tool 'openspec_archive_change'). Severity is medium because creating unauthorized changes in a spec-driven development workflow could disrupt team processes and approval workflows, but the impact is confined to the OpenSpec system and can be remediated.

From the tool's definition Tool name contains 'create' and description states 'Create a new change from a template', indicating reversible data creation.

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

How to control openspec_create_change

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

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

openspec_create_change 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 OpenSpec MCP — 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 →

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Related tools and policies

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Questions about openspec_create_change

What does the openspec_create_change tool do? +

Create a new change from a template. It is categorised as a Write tool in the OpenSpec 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 openspec_create_change? +

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

What risk level is openspec_create_change? +

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

Can I rate-limit openspec_create_change? +

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

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

openspec_create_change is provided by the OpenSpec MCP server (lumiaqian/openspec-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every OpenSpec MCP tool call.

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

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40 OpenSpec MCP tools catalogued and risk-classified — across an index of 43,000+ MCP servers.

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