Soft-delete (archive) or hard-delete a memory.
AI agents call memory_delete to permanently remove resources in Claude Memory MCP — typically in cleanup and lifecycle workflows. It does its job in a single call, and there is no undo.
Hard-delete operations are irreversible and permanently remove data. Even though the tool offers both soft-delete (reversible, Write category) and hard-delete (irreversible, Destructive category), the capability to permanently delete data places this in the Destructive category. An AI agent misusing this tool could permanently erase project memory records without recovery, making this a high-severity risk.
From the tool's definition Tool description explicitly states 'hard-delete a memory', indicating irreversible deletion of data. While 'soft-delete (archive)' is reversible, the tool permits hard-delete which cannot be undone.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Soft-delete (archive) or hard-delete a memory. It is categorised as a Destructive tool in the Claude Memory MCP MCP Server, which means it can permanently delete or destroy data. Block by default and require explicit approval.
Register the Claude Memory MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for memory_delete: 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 Claude Memory MCP. Nothing to install.
memory_delete is a Destructive tool with critical risk. Critical-risk tools should be blocked by default and only enabled with explicit human approval.
Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the memory_delete 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.
Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for memory_delete. 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.
memory_delete is provided by the Claude Memory MCP server (navid-kianfar/claude-memory-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Every MCP server has a record like this.
Type a name, get the same breakdown: verified identity, auth posture, risk grade, capabilities, recommended policy.
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