delete_element

THE RISK

Critical Risk

Why delete_element needs a policy

This tool performs an irreversible deletion operation on diagram elements. Once an element is deleted from a BPMN diagram, it cannot be automatically recovered through the tool interface. While the diagram file itself may have backups or version control in some systems, the tool's direct action is destructive.

From the tool's definition Tool name is 'delete_element' and description states 'Delete an element from the current diagram'. The use of 'delete' is a clear indicator of irreversible removal of data.

Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access delete_element gives an agent:

POLICY

How to control delete_element

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and MCP-BPMN Server, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for delete_element:

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "hide": [
    "delete_element"
  ]
}

delete_element disappears from the agent's tool list entirely, and any attempt to call it is denied. The rest of the server keeps working.

Create a free account and register MCP-BPMN Server — nothing to install.
Add this policy — paste it, or build it visually.
Point your MCP client (Claude, Cursor, anything) at your gateway URL.

RESTRICT THIS TOOL →

Free to start. No card required.

EXPLORE

Related tools and policies

More MCP-BPMN Server tools

Destructive bpmn_delete_diagram Delete a saved BPMN diagram file Destructive bpmn_delete_element Delete an element from the process Destructive delete_diagram_file Delete a saved BPMN diagram file Write new_bpmn Create a new BPMN diagram and set it as current context Write new_from_mermaid Create a new BPMN diagram from Mermaid code and set it as current context Write add_activity Add an activity to the current diagram Write add_event Add an event to the current diagram Write add_gateway Add a gateway to the current diagram

All 41 MCP-BPMN Server tools →

Destructive tools on other servers

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Go deeper

Critical-risk tools in MCP-BPMN Server → Every critical-risk tool this server exposes, in one view.
All critical-risk MCP tools → Every critical-risk tool across the catalogue, and the policy pattern that contains them.
The MCP Attack Database → Documented attack patterns against MCP deployments — and the policies that stop them.
Blast radius → How much damage one compromised or confused agent can do — and how to bound it.
Tool call approval → Approval gates on individual tool calls: auto-allow, prompt, or deny.
Rate Limiting MCP Tool Calls: A Practical Guide →
MCP Security: Why Prompt Guardrails Aren't Enough →

FAQ

Questions about delete_element

What does the delete_element tool do? +

Delete an element from the current diagram. It is categorised as a Destructive tool in the MCP-BPMN Server MCP Server, which means it can permanently delete or destroy data. Block by default and require explicit approval.

How do I enforce a policy on delete_element? +

Register the MCP-BPMN Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for delete_element: 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-BPMN Server. Nothing to install.

What risk level is delete_element? +

delete_element is a Destructive tool with critical risk. Critical-risk tools should be blocked by default and only enabled with explicit human approval.

Can I rate-limit delete_element? +

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

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

delete_element is provided by the MCP-BPMN Server MCP server (oisee/mcp-bpmn). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every MCP-BPMN Server tool call.

Start from MCP-BPMN Server, add the rest of your stack, and see everything your agents can call. Then put policy on all of it.

CHECK YOUR STACK →