Create a graph relation (edge) between two records.
AI agents use insertRelation to create or update resources in SurrealDB MCP Server — usually the action step of a workflow, after the agent has gathered context. Every call changes real data in your SurrealDB MCP Server environment.
This tool creates new relations/edges in a graph database, which modifies the data structure by adding connections between records. This is a Write operation because it creates new data relationships reversibly (relations can be deleted or modified). It ranks below Destructive (which would be irreversible deletion) but above Read operations.
From the tool's definition Tool name is 'insertRelation' and description states 'Create a graph relation (edge) between two records.' The verb 'Create' and action of establishing new relationships in a database indicate data modification.
Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access insertRelation gives an agent:
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and SurrealDB MCP Server, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for insertRelation:
{
"version": "1",
"default": "deny",
"tools": {
"insertRelation": {
"limits": [
{
"counter": "insertrelation_rate",
"window": "minute",
"max": 30,
"scope": "grant"
}
]
}
}
}insertRelation 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.
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Create a graph relation (edge) between two records. It is categorised as a Write tool in the SurrealDB MCP Server MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.
Register the SurrealDB MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for insertRelation: 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 SurrealDB MCP Server. Nothing to install.
insertRelation is a Write tool with medium risk. Write tools should be rate-limited to prevent accidental bulk modifications.
Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the insertRelation 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 insertRelation. 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.
insertRelation is provided by the SurrealDB MCP Server MCP server (nsxdavid/surrealdb-mcp-server). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Deterministic rules across all 10 SurrealDB MCP Server tools. Per-identity grants. Full audit log. Live in minutes. Nothing to install.
Free to start. No card required.
10 SurrealDB MCP Server tools catalogued and risk-classified — across an index of 42,500+ MCP servers.