Takes an array of research questions, generates RESEARCH.md with structured entries (question, findings placeholder, sources, recommendation, status), and writes it to the feature directory.
AI agents use sdd_research to create or update resources in Specky — usually the action step of a workflow, after the agent has gathered context. Every call changes real data in your Specky environment.
This is a Write operation because it creates and modifies files (RESEARCH.md) in a reversible manner. While it generates documentation rather than deleting or executing code, it does persist new structured data to the filesystem.
From the tool's definition The tool "writes it to the feature directory" and "generates RESEARCH.md with structured entries", indicating file creation and data modification. The tool creates new documentation artifacts in the project structure.
Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access sdd_research gives an agent:
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and Specky, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for sdd_research:
{
"version": "1",
"default": "deny",
"tools": {
"sdd_research": {
"limits": [
{
"counter": "sdd_research_rate",
"window": "minute",
"max": 30,
"scope": "grant"
}
]
}
}
}sdd_research 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.
Free to start. No card required.
Takes an array of research questions, generates RESEARCH.md with structured entries (question, findings placeholder, sources, recommendation, status), and writes it to the feature directory. It is categorised as a Write tool in the Specky MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.
Register the Specky MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for sdd_research: 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 Specky. Nothing to install.
sdd_research 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 sdd_research 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 sdd_research. 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.
sdd_research is provided by the Specky MCP server (paulasilvatech/specky). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Start from Specky, add the rest of your stack, and see everything your agents can call. Then put policy on all of it.
Free to start. No card required.
56 Specky tools catalogued and risk-classified — across an index of 43,000+ MCP servers.