swarm_execute_swarm · Mcp Swarm MCP: Risk & Policy

WHAT IT DOES

What swarm_execute_swarm does on Mcp Swarm

AI agents invoke swarm_execute_swarm to trigger actions in Mcp Swarm. What it does depends on the arguments the agent supplies, and its effects often reach beyond the immediate call — builds kicked off, notifications sent, workflows started.

WHY IT NEEDS A POLICY

Why swarm_execute_swarm needs a policy

This tool executes pre-defined agent swarm tasks using various coordination strategies. Execution of autonomous agent swarms can trigger arbitrary code, API calls, or system operations based on task definitions. While not inherently destructive or financial, the blast radius is high because swarm execution can have broad side effects across multiple agents and systems.

From the tool's definition Tool description states it '执行已创建的 Agent 蜂群任务' (executes created agent swarm tasks) and supports '并行、辩论、Map-Reduce 等协调策略' (parallel, debate, Map-Reduce coordination strategies).

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

Recommended rule Ready

Verdict

swarm_execute_swarm Rate-limited

swarm_execute_swarm stays usable, but rate-capped — a runaway agent can't fire it dozens of times a minute. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

View as policy code

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "swarm_execute_swarm": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "swarm_execute_swarm_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 10,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

RATE-LIMIT THIS TOOL →

Instant setup, no code required.

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: every tool call is checked against your rule before it reaches Mcp Swarm, so you can run agents against it safely.

FAQ

Questions about swarm_execute_swarm

What does the swarm_execute_swarm tool do? +

执行已创建的 Agent 蜂群任务，支持并行、辩论、Map-Reduce 等协调策略。. It is categorised as a Execute tool in the Mcp Swarm MCP Server, which means it can trigger actions or run processes. Use rate limits and argument validation.

How do I enforce a policy on swarm_execute_swarm? +

Register the Mcp Swarm MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for swarm_execute_swarm: 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 Mcp Swarm. Nothing to install.

What risk level is swarm_execute_swarm? +

swarm_execute_swarm is a Execute tool with high risk. Execute tools should be rate-limited and have argument validation enabled.

Can I rate-limit swarm_execute_swarm? +

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

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

swarm_execute_swarm is provided by the Mcp Swarm MCP server (moselu/mcp-swarm). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.