update-phrase · Phrases MCP Server MCP: Risk & Policy

WHAT IT DOES

What update-phrase does on Phrases MCP Server

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

WHY IT NEEDS A POLICY

Why update-phrase needs a policy

This tool modifies stored phrase data (the text content) via a reversible update operation. It does not delete data (hence not Destructive), execute arbitrary code (hence not Execute), move money (hence not Financial), or merely read data (hence not Read). The operation is reversible—the previous phrase text can be restored via another update.

From the tool's definition Tool name 'update-phrase' and description 'Updates the text of a phrase by its ID' indicate modification of existing data.

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

Recommended rule Ready

Verdict

update-phrase Rate-limited

update-phrase 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-phrase": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "update-phrase_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 Phrases MCP Server, so you can run agents against it safely.

FAQ

Questions about update-phrase

What does the update-phrase tool do? +

Updates the text of a phrase by its ID. It is categorised as a Write tool in the Phrases MCP Server 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-phrase? +

Register the Phrases MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for update-phrase: 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 Phrases MCP Server. Nothing to install.

What risk level is update-phrase? +

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

Can I rate-limit update-phrase? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the update-phrase 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-phrase completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for update-phrase. 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-phrase? +

update-phrase is provided by the Phrases MCP Server MCP server (ronniemh/phrases-mcp-server). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.