update_recipe · Mcp Mealie MCP: Risk & Policy

WHAT IT DOES

What update_recipe does on Mcp Mealie

AI agents use update_recipe 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_recipe needs a policy

This tool creates or modifies recipe data reversibly. A user can undo or re-modify changes. It does not execute arbitrary code, delete data, or move money. It falls squarely in the Write category. Severity is medium because unauthorized recipe modifications could corrupt meal plans or user data, but the impact is limited to one user's recipe collection and changes are reversible.

From the tool's definition Tool name 'update_recipe' and description 'Patch a recipe' indicate modification of existing recipe data. The phrase 'Only non-empty fields are sent' confirms reversible update semantics rather than deletion or destruction.

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

Recommended rule Ready

Verdict

update_recipe Rate-limited

update_recipe 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": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "update_recipe_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_recipe

What does the update_recipe tool do? +

Patch a recipe. Only non-empty fields are sent. 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_recipe? +

Register the Mcp Mealie MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for update_recipe: 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_recipe? +

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

Can I rate-limit update_recipe? +

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

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

update_recipe 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.