create · McFlow MCP: Risk & Policy

WHAT IT DOES

What create does on McFlow

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

WHY IT NEEDS A POLICY

Why create needs a policy

This tool creates new n8n workflow objects, which are data structures that persist and can affect system behavior through automation logic. This is a reversible write operation (workflows can be deleted or modified later), not destructive.

From the tool's definition Tool description states 'Create a new n8n workflow' which is a create operation that modifies data by generating new workflow artifacts. The constraint about 'REAL nodes only' indicates actual workflow creation with persistent effects.

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

Recommended rule Ready

Verdict

create Rate-limited

create 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": {
    "create": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "create_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 McFlow, so you can run agents against it safely.

FAQ

Questions about create

What does the create tool do? +

Create a new n8n workflow with REAL nodes only (no mock/placeholder nodes allowed). IMPORTANT: Use dashes in filenames, not underscores (e.g.,. It is categorised as a Write tool in the McFlow MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.

How do I enforce a policy on create? +

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

What risk level is create? +

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

Can I rate-limit create? +

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

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

create is provided by the McFlow MCP server (mckinleymedia/mcflow-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.