make_depend

THE RISK

High Risk

Why make_depend needs a policy

This tool executes external commands (make depend) that can install or update system-wide or project dependencies. While nominally for dependency management, execution of arbitrary make targets and dependency installation scripts creates significant risk if an AI agent misconfigures or targets the wrong project.

From the tool's definition Tool description states 'Run make depend command' which directly executes a system command. The make tool system can trigger arbitrary shell operations and dependency installation scripts, whose effects depend on the project's Makefile and dependency…

Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access make_depend gives an agent:

POLICY

How to control make_depend

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and MCP DevTools Server, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for make_depend:

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "make_depend": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "make_depend_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 10,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

make_depend stays usable, but rate-capped — a runaway agent can't fire it dozens of times a minute. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

Create a free account and register MCP DevTools Server — nothing to install.
Add this policy — paste it, or build it visually.
Point your MCP client (Claude, Cursor, anything) at your gateway URL.

RATE-LIMIT THIS TOOL →

Free to start. No card required.

EXPLORE

Related tools and policies

More MCP DevTools Server tools

Destructive repo_sync Sync with remote and cleanup merged branches Execute python_venv Manage Python virtual environments (create, delete, info, list packages) Execute commitlint Run commitlint to validate commit messages Execute eslint Run ESLint on JavaScript/TypeScript files Execute go_benchmark Run Go benchmarks to measure code performance Execute go_build Build Go packages with cross-compilation and custom build flags support Execute lint_all Run all available linters based on project type Execute lint_files Run custom linting rules on project files

All 79 MCP DevTools Server tools →

Execute tools on other servers

Android Forensics ADB MCP Server adb_shell_command EMBA-MCP run_emba_scan Frida Game Hacking MCP remove_breakpoint Procmon request_elevation

Go deeper

High-risk tools in MCP DevTools Server → Every high-risk tool this server exposes, in one view.
All high-risk MCP tools → Every high-risk tool across the catalogue, and the policy pattern that contains them.
The MCP Attack Database → Documented attack patterns against MCP deployments — and the policies that stop them.
Agent sandbox → Bounding what an agent can execute and where the boundary should sit.
Least privilege for MCP → Granting agents the minimum tool surface the task needs.
Rate Limiting MCP Tool Calls: A Practical Guide →
MCP Security: Why Prompt Guardrails Aren't Enough →

FAQ

Questions about make_depend

What does the make_depend tool do? +

Run make depend command to install or update dependencies. It is categorised as a Execute tool in the MCP DevTools Server MCP Server, which means it can trigger actions or run processes. Use rate limits and argument validation.

How do I enforce a policy on make_depend? +

Register the MCP DevTools Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for make_depend: 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 MCP DevTools Server. Nothing to install.

What risk level is make_depend? +

make_depend is a Execute tool with high risk. Execute tools should be rate-limited and have argument validation enabled.

Can I rate-limit make_depend? +

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

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

make_depend is provided by the MCP DevTools Server MCP server (rshade/mcp-devtools-server). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every MCP DevTools Server tool call.

Start from MCP DevTools Server, add the rest of your stack, and see everything your agents can call. Then put policy on all of it.

CHECK YOUR STACK →