Update a category's details. Args: category_id: The UUID of the category to update name: New name for the category Returns: Dict[str, Any]: The updated category details
AI agents use update_category to create or update resources in Mealie MCP Server — usually the action step of a workflow, after the agent has gathered context. Every call changes real data in your Mealie MCP Server environment.
The tool modifies existing data (category details) in a non-destructive way. Updates are reversible—the previous state can be restored by updating again with different values. This is a classic Write operation. Severity is low because misconfiguration of recipe categories poses minimal risk to Mealie users or the broader system.
From the tool's definition Tool description states 'Update a category's details' with arguments for category_id and name, returning updated category details. This is a reversible modification operation.
Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access update_category gives an agent:
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and Mealie MCP Server, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for update_category:
{
"version": "1",
"default": "deny",
"tools": {
"update_category": {
"limits": [
{
"counter": "update_category_rate",
"window": "minute",
"max": 30,
"scope": "grant"
}
]
}
}
}update_category 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.
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Update a category's details. Args: category_id: The UUID of the category to update name: New name for the category Returns: Dict[str, Any]: The updated category details. It is categorised as a Write tool in the Mealie MCP Server MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.
Register the Mealie MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for update_category: 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 Mealie MCP Server. Nothing to install.
update_category 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 update_category 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 update_category. 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.
update_category is provided by the Mealie MCP Server MCP server (rldiao/mealie-mcp-server). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Deterministic rules across all 44 Mealie MCP Server tools. Per-identity grants. Full audit log. Live in minutes. Nothing to install.
Free to start. No card required.
44 Mealie MCP Server tools catalogued and risk-classified — across an index of 42,500+ MCP servers.