gmail_create_draft · Google MCP: Risk & Policy

WHAT IT DOES

What gmail_create_draft does on Google

AI agents use gmail_create_draft 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_create_draft needs a policy

Creating a draft is a write operation that modifies Gmail state by adding a new message object. It is reversible (the draft can be deleted), so it does not qualify as Destructive. It has no direct financial impact.

From the tool's definition Tool name contains 'create' and description states 'Create a Gmail draft' — this creates a new, reversible draft message in Gmail without sending it.

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

Recommended rule Ready

Verdict

gmail_create_draft Rate-limited

gmail_create_draft 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_create_draft": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "gmail_create_draft_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 Google, so you can run agents against it safely.

FAQ

Questions about gmail_create_draft

What does the gmail_create_draft tool do? +

Create a Gmail draft. 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_create_draft? +

Register the Google MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for gmail_create_draft: 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_create_draft? +

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

Can I rate-limit gmail_create_draft? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the gmail_create_draft 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_create_draft completely? +

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

gmail_create_draft 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.