setup

Initialize local config and an agent workspace

SERVEROpenClaw SOURCEopenclaw

Medium RISK CLASS

Category Write

Parameters 00 required

Recommended Rate-limitedsee the rule below

Registry record Grade F, identity verified Pull the record →

This record as markdown: /tools/openclaw/setup.md

WHAT IT DOES

What setup does on OpenClaw

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

RISK

Why setup is rated Medium

The tool creates or modifies configuration and workspace data. While 'initialize' could suggest initial setup, it falls under Write rather than Execute because it appears to be about data configuration rather than executing arbitrary code or commands. The medium severity reflects that misconfiguration could impact system behavior, but the changes are typically reversible.

From the tool's definition Tool name 'setup' and description 'Initialize local config and an agent workspace' indicate creation and configuration of system resources.

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

RECOMMENDED RULE

The rule that runs setup safely

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: it sits between your AI agents and OpenClaw, and checks every tool call against a rule you set before the call runs. Nothing changes on the server itself. For setup, this is the rule to start with:

setup Rate-limited

setup 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": {
    "setup": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "setup_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 30,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

LIMIT THIS TOOL → Instant setup, no code required.

The button opens the PolicyLayer dashboard: create your workspace, connect OpenClaw, apply this rule, and every setup call is checked against it from then on.

FAQ

Questions about setup

What does the setup tool do? +

Initialize local config and an agent workspace. It is categorised as a Write tool in the OpenClaw MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.

How do I enforce a policy on setup? +

Register the OpenClaw MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for setup: 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 OpenClaw. Nothing to install.

What risk level is setup? +

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

Can I rate-limit setup? +

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

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

setup is provided by the OpenClaw MCP server (openclaw). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

KEEP EXPLORING

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