optimize_memory

THE RISK

Medium Risk

Why optimize_memory needs a policy

The tool modifies the contents and organization of a memory file through AI-driven consolidation. While it preserves information (not destructive), it does change the state of data. This is a Write operation because the changes are reversible—the original entries are consolidated but not deleted.

From the tool's definition Tool description states it 'reorganize and consolidate entries while preserving all information' on a memory file. This is a modification operation that alters existing data structure reversibly.

Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access optimize_memory gives an agent:

POLICY

How to control optimize_memory

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and Mode Manager MCP, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for optimize_memory:

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "optimize_memory": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "optimize_memory_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 30,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

optimize_memory 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.

Create a free account and register Mode Manager MCP — nothing to install.
Add this policy — paste it, or build it visually.
Point your MCP client (Claude, Cursor, anything) at your gateway URL.

LIMIT THIS TOOL →

Free to start. No card required.

EXPLORE

Related tools and policies

More Mode Manager MCP tools

Destructive delete_instruction Delete a VS Code .instructions.md file from the prompts directory. Write configure_memory_optimization Configure memory optimization settings for auto-optimization behavior. Write create_instruction Create a new VS Code .instructions.md file with the specified description and content. Write remember remember Write update_instruction Update an existing VS Code .instructions.md file with new description or content. Read get_instruction Get the raw content of a VS Code .instructions.md file. Read list_instructions List all VS Code .instructions.md files in the prompts directory. Read memory_stats Get detailed statistics and optimization status for a memory file.

All 9 Mode Manager MCP tools →

Write tools on other servers

M-Team MCP Server download_torrent YouTube MCP Server generate_video_title Android Forensics ADB MCP Server combine_reports 0xarchive web3_signup

Go deeper

The MCP Attack Database → Documented attack patterns against MCP deployments — and the policies that stop them.
Argument validation → Checking tool call arguments against schema and policy before they run.
Scoped token → Per-person credentials that grant a defined subset of servers and tools.
Rate Limiting MCP Tool Calls: A Practical Guide →
MCP Security: Why Prompt Guardrails Aren't Enough →

FAQ

Questions about optimize_memory

What does the optimize_memory tool do? +

Manually optimize a memory file using AI to reorganize and consolidate entries while preserving all information. It is categorised as a Write tool in the Mode Manager MCP MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.

How do I enforce a policy on optimize_memory? +

Register the Mode Manager MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for optimize_memory: 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 Mode Manager MCP. Nothing to install.

What risk level is optimize_memory? +

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

Can I rate-limit optimize_memory? +

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

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

optimize_memory is provided by the Mode Manager MCP server (niclasolofsson/mode-manager-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every Mode Manager MCP tool call.

Start from Mode Manager MCP, add the rest of your stack, and see everything your agents can call. Then put policy on all of it.

CHECK YOUR STACK →