slack_notify · Git Steer MCP: Risk & Policy

WHAT IT DOES

What slack_notify does on Git Steer

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

WHY IT NEEDS A POLICY

Why slack_notify needs a policy

This tool creates (sends) a message/notification to Slack, which is a reversible action that modifies state in an external system (Slack channel history) but does not retrieve data (Read), execute arbitrary code (Execute), permanently delete data (Destructive), or move money (Financial). Message sending fits the Write category.

From the tool's definition The tool 'slack_notify' sends a notification to a Slack channel via webhook. The description explicitly states it is used for 'PR events, alerts, and remediation updates', which are notification-sending operations.

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

Recommended rule Ready

Verdict

slack_notify Rate-limited

slack_notify 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": {
    "slack_notify": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "slack_notify_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 Git Steer, so you can run agents against it safely.

FAQ

Questions about slack_notify

What does the slack_notify tool do? +

Send a notification to a Slack channel via webhook. Used for PR events, alerts, and remediation updates. It is categorised as a Write tool in the Git Steer MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.

How do I enforce a policy on slack_notify? +

Register the Git Steer MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for slack_notify: 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 Git Steer. Nothing to install.

What risk level is slack_notify? +

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

Can I rate-limit slack_notify? +

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

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

slack_notify is provided by the Git Steer MCP server (ry-ops/git-steer). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.