release_task · AT MCP: Risk & Policy

WHAT IT DOES

What release_task does on ATMcp

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

WHY IT NEEDS A POLICY

Why release_task needs a policy

The tool modifies the state of a task by transitioning it from claimed/in-progress back to available in the queue. This is a reversible write operation (tasks can be re-claimed). It does not execute arbitrary code, destroy data, move money, or permanently alter system state—it requeues a task.

From the tool's definition Tool description states 'Voluntarily give a task back to the queue (instant re-queue)' indicating modification of task state in a distributed task queue system.

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

Recommended rule Ready

Verdict

release_task Rate-limited

release_task 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": {
    "release_task": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "release_task_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 ATMcp, so you can run agents against it safely.

FAQ

Questions about release_task

What does the release_task tool do? +

Voluntarily give a task back to the queue (instant re-queue, no lease wait). It is categorised as a Write tool in the ATMcp MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.

How do I enforce a policy on release_task? +

Register the AT MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for release_task: 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 ATMcp. Nothing to install.

What risk level is release_task? +

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

Can I rate-limit release_task? +

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

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

release_task is provided by the AT MCP server (midcheck/atmcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.