reply_to_gmail · Google Connections MCP: Risk & Policy

WHAT IT DOES

What reply_to_gmail does on Google Connections

AI agents use reply_to_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 reply_to_gmail needs a policy

This tool creates new email content (a reply message) which is reversible through standard Gmail operations (delete, archive). It does not execute arbitrary code, delete data irreversibly, or move money. The severity is medium because unintended email replies could expose sensitive information, impersonate the user, or damage relationships, depending on what the AI agent composes.

From the tool's definition Tool name 'reply_to_gmail' and description 'Reply to a Gmail message' indicate creating/composing a new message response, which is a write operation that modifies Gmail conversation state by adding a message.

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

Recommended rule Ready

Verdict

reply_to_gmail Rate-limited

reply_to_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": {
    "reply_to_gmail": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "reply_to_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 reply_to_gmail

What does the reply_to_gmail tool do? +

Reply to a Gmail message. 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 reply_to_gmail? +

Register the Google Connections MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for reply_to_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 reply_to_gmail? +

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

Can I rate-limit reply_to_gmail? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the reply_to_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 reply_to_gmail completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for reply_to_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 reply_to_gmail? +

reply_to_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.