update_state · Plane MCP: Risk & Policy

WHAT IT DOES

What update_state does on Plane

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

WHY IT NEEDS A POLICY

Why update_state needs a policy

The 'update_state' tool most likely modifies the status or state field of work items or other entities in Plane (a project management tool), which is a reversible Write operation. Without a detailed description, confidence is moderate; if it permits rolling back to previous states, it remains Write rather than Destructive.

From the tool's definition Tool name 'update_state' indicates modification of state data. Description is empty, but the tool sits alongside other work-item management tools (create_cycle, create_module, etc.) in a project management/issue tracking system.

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

Recommended rule Ready

Verdict

update_state Rate-limited

update_state 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_state": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "update_state_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 Plane, so you can run agents against it safely.

FAQ

Questions about update_state

What does the update_state tool do? +

update_state. It is categorised as a Write tool in the Plane 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_state? +

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

What risk level is update_state? +

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

Can I rate-limit update_state? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the update_state 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_state completely? +

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

update_state is provided by the Plane MCP server (@makeplane/plane-mcp-server). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.