save_mxd · Arcmap MCP: Risk & Policy

WHAT IT DOES

What save_mxd does on Arcmap

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

WHY IT NEEDS A POLICY

Why save_mxd needs a policy

This tool creates or modifies data reversibly by saving an ArcMap document. The .mxd file is updated with any changes made in the current session. While it writes to the filesystem, it is not destructive (not irreversible deletion) nor does it execute arbitrary code or move money.

From the tool's definition Tool description: 'Guarda el documento .mxd abierto en su ruta actual' (Saves the open .mxd document in its current path). The tool saves/writes a file to disk, modifying the existing .mxd document.

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

Recommended rule Ready

Verdict

save_mxd Rate-limited

save_mxd 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": {
    "save_mxd": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "save_mxd_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 Arcmap, so you can run agents against it safely.

FAQ

Questions about save_mxd

What does the save_mxd tool do? +

Guarda el documento .mxd abierto en su ruta actual. Devuelve la ruta guardada. It is categorised as a Write tool in the Arcmap MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.

How do I enforce a policy on save_mxd? +

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

What risk level is save_mxd? +

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

Can I rate-limit save_mxd? +

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

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

save_mxd is provided by the Arcmap MCP server (pedralcg/arcmap-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.