select-project · GCP MCP: Risk & Policy

WHAT IT DOES

What select-project does on GCP MCP

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

WHY IT NEEDS A POLICY

Why select-project needs a policy

While the tool does not create, modify, or delete actual GCP resources, it alters the execution context for subsequent interactions. This is a reversible state change (another project can be selected afterward), making it Write rather than Read or Execute.

From the tool's definition Tool performs 'selects GCP project' which modifies the state of subsequent operations by changing which project context is active.

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

Recommended rule Ready

Verdict

select-project Rate-limited

select-project 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": {
    "select-project": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "select-project_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 GCP MCP, so you can run agents against it safely.

FAQ

Questions about select-project

What does the select-project tool do? +

Selects GCP project to use for subsequent interactions. It is categorised as a Write tool in the GCP 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 select-project? +

Register the GCP MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for select-project: 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 GCP MCP. Nothing to install.

What risk level is select-project? +

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

Can I rate-limit select-project? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the select-project 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 select-project completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for select-project. 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 select-project? +

select-project is provided by the GCP MCP server (radiumgu/gcp-ops-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.