generate · McFlow MCP: Risk & Policy

WHAT IT DOES

What generate does on McFlow

AI agents use generate 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 generate needs a policy

The tool creates new workflows from templates, which is a reversible write operation. While it creates files/workflows in n8n, these can be modified or deleted subsequently. It does not execute workflows, delete data irreversibly, or handle financial transactions.

From the tool's definition Tool description states 'Generate a workflow from template' and 'Use dashes in filenames' which indicates file/workflow creation. Sibling tools like 'create', 'create_module', 'add_node', and 'connect' reinforce that this is a content creation operation.

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

Recommended rule Ready

Verdict

generate Rate-limited

generate 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": {
    "generate": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "generate_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 generate

What does the generate tool do? +

Generate a workflow from template using REAL n8n nodes (no mock/placeholder nodes). IMPORTANT: Use dashes in filenames, not underscores. 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 generate? +

Register the McFlow MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for generate: 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 generate? +

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

Can I rate-limit generate? +

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

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

generate 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.