knowledge_ingest · Willow MCP: Risk & Policy

WHAT IT DOES

What knowledge_ingest does on Willow

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

WHY IT NEEDS A POLICY

Why knowledge_ingest needs a policy

This tool creates or modifies data in the Postgres knowledge base by adding knowledge atoms. This is a Write operation—data is added to a persistent store but the action is reversible (atoms can be deleted or updated).

From the tool's definition Tool name 'knowledge_ingest' and description 'Add a knowledge atom to the Postgres knowledge base' indicate creation of new data in a persistent store (Postgres). The verb 'Add' and context of 'ingest' confirm reversible data creation.

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

Recommended rule Ready

Verdict

knowledge_ingest Rate-limited

knowledge_ingest 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": {
    "knowledge_ingest": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "knowledge_ingest_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 Willow, so you can run agents against it safely.

FAQ

Questions about knowledge_ingest

What does the knowledge_ingest tool do? +

Add a knowledge atom to the Postgres knowledge base (LOAM). It is categorised as a Write tool in the Willow MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.

How do I enforce a policy on knowledge_ingest? +

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

What risk level is knowledge_ingest? +

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

Can I rate-limit knowledge_ingest? +

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

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

knowledge_ingest is provided by the Willow MCP server (rudi193-cmd/willow-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.