update_cookbook · Mcp Mealie MCP: Risk & Policy

WHAT IT DOES

What update_cookbook does on Mcp Mealie

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

WHY IT NEEDS A POLICY

Why update_cookbook needs a policy

This tool modifies cookbook metadata (publication status) but does not delete data or execute arbitrary operations. Changes are reversible—a cookbook can be unpublished and republished. This is a standard write operation on a recipe management system with minimal blast radius, as it only affects visibility/sharing state of a single cookbook resource.

From the tool's definition Tool name 'update_cookbook' and description 'Patch a cookbook' indicate modification of existing data. The specific mention of setting public/unpublish flags shows reversible state changes to a cookbook resource.

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 Mcp Mealie, so you can run agents against it safely.

FAQ

Questions about update_cookbook

What does the update_cookbook tool do? +

Patch a cookbook. Use public=1 to make public, public=0 to unpublish. It is categorised as a Write tool in the Mcp Mealie 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 Mcp Mealie 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 Mcp Mealie. 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 Mcp Mealie MCP server (obrien-matthew/mcp-mealie). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.