gmail_archive_message · Google MCP: Risk & Policy

WHAT IT DOES

What gmail_archive_message does on Google

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

WHY IT NEEDS A POLICY

Why gmail_archive_message needs a policy

Archiving is a write operation that modifies email metadata and visibility without permanently deleting data. The action is reversible (messages can be unarchived), placing it in the Write category rather than Destructive. Severity is medium because bulk archiving could cause loss of access to important messages, but the operation is non-destructive and can be undone.

From the tool's definition Tool name 'gmail_archive_message' and description 'Archive a Gmail message' indicate a modification operation on email data. Archiving changes the state/label of a message (reversible action).

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

Recommended rule Ready

Verdict

gmail_archive_message Rate-limited

gmail_archive_message 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": {
    "gmail_archive_message": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "gmail_archive_message_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 30,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

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

FAQ

Questions about gmail_archive_message

What does the gmail_archive_message tool do? +

Archive a Gmail message. It is categorised as a Write tool in the Google MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.

How do I enforce a policy on gmail_archive_message? +

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

What risk level is gmail_archive_message? +

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

Can I rate-limit gmail_archive_message? +

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

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

gmail_archive_message is provided by the Google MCP server (robcerda/google-mcp-server). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.