update_cookbook · Mealie MCP Server MCP: Risk & Policy

WHAT IT DOES

What update_cookbook does on Mealie MCP Server

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

WHY IT NEEDS A POLICY

Why update_cookbook needs a policy

The tool creates or modifies cookbook data within Mealie without irreversibly deleting it, placing it in the Write category. The severity is medium because unauthorized modification of cookbooks could affect household meal planning and food data management, but the impact is limited to recipe/cookbook settings rather than user credentials or financial systems.

From the tool's definition Tool updates an existing household cookbook by ID ('Update one household cookbook'). This modifies data reversibly without deleting or executing arbitrary code.

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

Recommended rule Ready

Verdict

update_cookbook Rate-limited

update_cookbook 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": {
    "update_cookbook": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "update_cookbook_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 Mealie MCP Server, so you can run agents against it safely.

FAQ

Questions about update_cookbook

What does the update_cookbook tool do? +

Update one household cookbook by ID. It is categorised as a Write tool in the Mealie MCP Server MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.

How do I enforce a policy on update_cookbook? +

Register the Mealie MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for update_cookbook: 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 Mealie MCP Server. Nothing to install.

What risk level is update_cookbook? +

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

Can I rate-limit update_cookbook? +

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

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

update_cookbook is provided by the Mealie MCP Server MCP server (nikopol666/mealie-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.