update_recipe_action · Mealie MCP Server MCP: Risk & Policy

WHAT IT DOES

What update_recipe_action does on Mealie MCP Server

AI agents use update_recipe_action 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_recipe_action needs a policy

This tool creates or modifies data reversibly without deleting information or executing arbitrary code. Updating a recipe action is a standard write operation that can be undone or corrected. The moderate severity reflects that the blast radius is limited to recipe metadata/configuration rather than financial or destructive operations, though incorrect updates could affect meal planning workflows.

From the tool's definition Tool name 'update_recipe_action' and description 'Update one household recipe action by ID' indicate modification of existing recipe data. The verb 'update' is explicitly used, confirming write semantics.

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

Recommended rule Ready

Verdict

update_recipe_action Rate-limited

update_recipe_action 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_recipe_action": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "update_recipe_action_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_recipe_action

What does the update_recipe_action tool do? +

Update one household recipe action 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_recipe_action? +

Register the Mealie MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for update_recipe_action: 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_recipe_action? +

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

Can I rate-limit update_recipe_action? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the update_recipe_action 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_recipe_action completely? +

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

update_recipe_action 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.