# trace

Set plugin trace mode (on|off).

Agent View of the PolicyLayer registry record for `trace`. HTML page: https://policylayer.com/tools/openclaw/trace

## Facts

- Tool: `trace`
- Server: OpenClaw (`openclaw`) — https://policylayer.com/tools/openclaw.md
- Install: `npx -y openclaw`
- Homepage: https://www.npmjs.com/package/openclaw
- Risk category: Write (Medium risk)
- Registry record: grade F, identity verified
- Server rate-limited: no
- Parameters: 0
- Recommended policy verdict: Rate-limited

## Example call (MCP tools/call, JSON-RPC 2.0)

```json
{
  "jsonrpc": "2.0",
  "id": 1,
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "name": "trace",
    "arguments": {}
  }
}
```

## Why trace is rated Medium

This tool writes/modifies a configuration setting (trace mode) on a plugin. It is reversible (can be toggled on or off), so it falls under Write rather than Destructive. Misuse could expose verbose debug information or suppress important logging, hence medium severity.

From the tool's own definition: "'Set plugin trace mode (on|off)' — modifies the trace/debug mode state of a plugin"

## Use case

AI agents use trace 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.

## Recommended policy (PolicyLayer)

Verdict: **Rate-limited**. Enforced by the PolicyLayer MCP gateway (https://policylayer.com/mcp-gateway) before a call reaches OpenClaw:

```json
{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "trace": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "trace_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 30,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}
```

## Other tools on OpenClaw (128)

- `drop` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/openclaw/drop.md
- `reset` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/openclaw/reset.md
- `uninstall` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/openclaw/uninstall.md
- `abort` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/openclaw/abort.md
- `acp` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/openclaw/acp.md
- `action` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/openclaw/action.md
- `agent` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/openclaw/agent.md
- `auth` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/openclaw/auth.md
- `bash` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/openclaw/bash.md
- `browser` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/openclaw/browser.md
- `capability` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/openclaw/capability.md
- `chat` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/openclaw/chat.md
- `command` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/openclaw/command.md
- `completion` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/openclaw/completion.md
- `crestodian` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/openclaw/crestodian.md
- `cron` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/openclaw/cron.md
- `daemon` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/openclaw/daemon.md
- `doctor` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/openclaw/doctor.md
- `elevated` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/openclaw/elevated.md
- `events_wait` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/openclaw/events-wait.md
- `gateway` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/openclaw/gateway.md
- `infer` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/openclaw/infer.md
- `new` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/openclaw/new.md
- `node` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/openclaw/node.md
- `nodes` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/openclaw/nodes.md
- `permissions_respond` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/openclaw/permissions-respond.md
- `phone` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/openclaw/phone.md
- `plugins` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/openclaw/plugins.md
- `proxy` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/openclaw/proxy.md
- `qa` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/openclaw/qa.md
- …and 98 more: https://policylayer.com/tools/openclaw.md

## For agents

This record is a snapshot. Live verdicts and the full registry:

- Check every server in your MCP config at once: `npx -y policylayer stack`
- Vet a server before you add it: install the mcp-precheck skill — `npx skills add https://policylayer.com` (skill text: https://policylayer.com/skill.md)
- Query the registry over MCP: endpoint `https://api.policylayer.com/mcp` — tools `check_mcp_server`, `check_mcp_stack`, `check_tool`, `search_registry`, `get_change_events`

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Source: the PolicyLayer MCP registry — one continuously verified record per MCP server. Full record: https://policylayer.com/registry?q=openclaw · API: https://policylayer.com/registry/api · Policy library: https://policylayer.com/policies/openclaw