remove_tags · Devon MCP: Risk & Policy

WHAT IT DOES

What remove_tags does on Devon

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

WHY IT NEEDS A POLICY

Why remove_tags needs a policy

Removing tags is a reversible metadata modification — tags can be re-added. This is a Write operation (modifying existing record metadata), not Destructive since no data or records are deleted and the action can be undone by re-applying the tags.

From the tool's definition Removes tags from a specific record in DEVONthink

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

Recommended rule Ready

Verdict

remove_tags Rate-limited

remove_tags 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": {
    "remove_tags": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "remove_tags_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 Devon, so you can run agents against it safely.

FAQ

Questions about remove_tags

What does the remove_tags tool do? +

Removes tags from a specific record in DEVONthink. It is categorised as a Write tool in the Devon MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.

How do I enforce a policy on remove_tags? +

Register the Devon MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for remove_tags: 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 Devon. Nothing to install.

What risk level is remove_tags? +

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

Can I rate-limit remove_tags? +

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

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

remove_tags is provided by the Devon MCP server (mnott/devon). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.