This record as markdown: /tools/openclaw/workboard.md
What workboard does on OpenClaw
AI agents use workboard 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.
Why workboard is rated Medium
The tool performs both read operations (list, inspect) and write operations (create, dispatch). 'Create' generates new records, and 'dispatch' triggers actions on those records, both of which are reversible modifications. This is a Write-category tool.
From the tool's definition Tool description states 'List, create, inspect, and dispatch Workboard cards' — explicitly includes 'create' and 'dispatch' actions that modify state.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
The rule that runs workboard 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 workboard, this is the rule to start with:
workboard 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.
The button opens the PolicyLayer dashboard: create your workspace, connect OpenClaw, apply this rule, and every workboard call is checked against it from then on.
Questions about workboard
List, create, inspect, and dispatch Workboard cards. 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.
Register the OpenClaw MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for workboard: 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.
workboard is a Write tool with medium risk. Write tools should be rate-limited to prevent accidental bulk modifications.
Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the workboard 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.
Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for workboard. 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.
workboard 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.
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