plugin-scaffold · Metalsmith Plugin MCP: Risk & Policy

WHAT IT DOES

What plugin-scaffold does on Metalsmith Plugin

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

WHY IT NEEDS A POLICY

Why plugin-scaffold needs a policy

This tool creates multiple files and directory structures (src/, test/, package.json, README.md, CLAUDE.md, GitHub workflows), which is a Write operation. Severity is high because it generates a broad set of files across a project structure.

From the tool's definition Scaffold a complete Metalsmith plugin (src/, test/, package.json, README.md, CLAUDE.md, GitHub workflows). Use only for NEW plugins in an empty directory — never against an existing project.

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

Recommended rule Ready

Verdict

plugin-scaffold Rate-limited

plugin-scaffold 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": {
    "plugin-scaffold": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "plugin-scaffold_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 Metalsmith Plugin, so you can run agents against it safely.

FAQ

Questions about plugin-scaffold

What does the plugin-scaffold tool do? +

Scaffold a complete Metalsmith plugin (src/, test/, package.json, README.md, CLAUDE.md, GitHub workflows). Use only for NEW plugins in an empty directory — never against an existing project. Pass the user. It is categorised as a Write tool in the Metalsmith Plugin MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.

How do I enforce a policy on plugin-scaffold? +

Register the Metalsmith Plugin MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for plugin-scaffold: 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 Metalsmith Plugin. Nothing to install.

What risk level is plugin-scaffold? +

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

Can I rate-limit plugin-scaffold? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the plugin-scaffold 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 plugin-scaffold completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for plugin-scaffold. 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 plugin-scaffold? +

plugin-scaffold is provided by the Metalsmith Plugin MCP server (metalsmith-plugin-mcp-server). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.