identify_light · Hue MCP: Risk & Policy

WHAT IT DOES

What identify_light does on HueMCP

AI agents invoke identify_light to trigger actions in HueMCP. 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 identify_light needs a policy

This tool triggers an external physical operation (pulsing a light) on a real-world device. It is not a simple read, nor does it persistently modify state — it executes a transient action on the Hue bridge. Severity is low because the blast radius of misuse is minimal (a light briefly pulses).

From the tool's definition Make a light breathe (briefly pulse) so you can physically locate it.

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

Recommended rule Ready

Verdict

identify_light Rate-limited

identify_light 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": {
    "identify_light": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "identify_light_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 HueMCP, so you can run agents against it safely.

FAQ

Questions about identify_light

What does the identify_light tool do? +

Make a light breathe (briefly pulse) so you can physically locate it. It is categorised as a Execute tool in the HueMCP MCP Server, which means it can trigger actions or run processes. Use rate limits and argument validation.

How do I enforce a policy on identify_light? +

Register the Hue MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for identify_light: 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 HueMCP. Nothing to install.

What risk level is identify_light? +

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

Can I rate-limit identify_light? +

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

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

identify_light is provided by the Hue MCP server (mbruton/huemcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

// THE FULL RECORD

identify_light is one line of Hue's registry record.

The record carries the whole server: verified identity, auth posture, risk grade, every tool classified, recommended policy — re-checked continuously.

Teams ship this data inside their own products. See what a licence covers →