archive_gmail · Google Connections MCP: Risk & Policy

WHAT IT DOES

What archive_gmail does on Google Connections

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

WHY IT NEEDS A POLICY

Why archive_gmail needs a policy

Archiving is a reversible write operation that changes the organizational state of messages without deleting them. While not destructive (messages remain recoverable), it modifies user data and could affect message visibility/accessibility if misused.

From the tool's definition Tool name 'archive_gmail' and description 'Archive one or more Gmail messages' indicates modification of message state/metadata (moving to archive folder). The server description confirms 'full CRUD operations' on Gmail.

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

Recommended rule Ready

Verdict

archive_gmail Rate-limited

archive_gmail 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": {
    "archive_gmail": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "archive_gmail_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 Google Connections, so you can run agents against it safely.

FAQ

Questions about archive_gmail

What does the archive_gmail tool do? +

Archive one or more Gmail messages. It is categorised as a Write tool in the Google Connections MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.

How do I enforce a policy on archive_gmail? +

Register the Google Connections MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for archive_gmail: 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 Google Connections. Nothing to install.

What risk level is archive_gmail? +

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

Can I rate-limit archive_gmail? +

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

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

archive_gmail is provided by the Google Connections MCP server (michaelzrork/google-connections-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.