update-workflow-status · Scratchpad MCP: Risk & Policy

WHAT IT DOES

What update-workflow-status does on Scratchpad MCP

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

WHY IT NEEDS A POLICY

Why update-workflow-status needs a policy

This tool modifies workflow state in a controlled manner. While it affects system operations (active workflows can have scratchpads created/modified), the action itself is reversible and does not delete data or execute arbitrary code. It falls under Write rather than Execute because it simply changes a boolean/status field rather than triggering dynamic code execution.

From the tool's definition Tool performs 'Activate or deactivate a workflow' — direct state modification of workflow records. This is a reversible write operation (workflows can be re-activated or re-deactivated).

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

Recommended rule Ready

Verdict

update-workflow-status Rate-limited

update-workflow-status 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": {
    "update-workflow-status": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "update-workflow-status_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 30,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

LIMIT THIS TOOL →

Instant setup, no code required.

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: every tool call is checked against your rule before it reaches Scratchpad MCP, so you can run agents against it safely.

FAQ

Questions about update-workflow-status

What does the update-workflow-status tool do? +

Activate or deactivate a workflow. Only active workflows can have scratchpads created or modified. It is categorised as a Write tool in the Scratchpad MCP MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.

How do I enforce a policy on update-workflow-status? +

Register the Scratchpad MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for update-workflow-status: 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 Scratchpad MCP. Nothing to install.

What risk level is update-workflow-status? +

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

Can I rate-limit update-workflow-status? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the update-workflow-status 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 update-workflow-status completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for update-workflow-status. 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 update-workflow-status? +

update-workflow-status is provided by the Scratchpad MCP server (pc035860/scratchpad-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.