# snow_backup_instance

Request a snapshot backup of the current ServiceNow instance under a chosen name, optionally including attachments. Returns the backup name and timestamp; the backup itself runs asynchronously.

Agent View of the PolicyLayer registry record for `snow_backup_instance`. HTML page: https://policylayer.com/tools/serac/snow-backup-instance

## Facts

- Tool: `snow_backup_instance`
- Server: Serac (`serac-labs/serac`) — https://policylayer.com/tools/serac.md
- Homepage: https://github.com/serac-labs/serac
- Risk category: Write (Medium risk)
- Registry record: grade F, identity unverified
- Server rate-limited: no
- Parameters: 0
- Recommended policy verdict: Rate-limited

## Example call (MCP tools/call, JSON-RPC 2.0)

```json
{
  "jsonrpc": "2.0",
  "id": 1,
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "name": "snow_backup_instance",
    "arguments": {}
  }
}
```

## Why snow_backup_instance is rated Medium

This tool creates a new backup artifact (snapshot) which is a reversible operation—backups can be replaced or deleted later. While it has significant operational impact on system state and resources, it does not permanently delete data (ruling out Destructive), execute arbitrary code (Execute), or involve financial transactions (Financial).

From the tool's own definition: "Creates a snapshot backup of the ServiceNow instance under a chosen name; specified as 'request a snapshot backup' which triggers data creation/capture rather than retrieval or destruction."

## Use case

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

## Recommended policy (PolicyLayer)

Verdict: **Rate-limited**. Enforced by the PolicyLayer MCP gateway (https://policylayer.com/mcp-gateway) before a call reaches Serac:

```json
{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "snow_backup_instance": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "snow_backup_instance_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 30,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}
```

## Other tools on Serac (431)

- `snow_cleanup_test_artifacts` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/serac/snow-cleanup-test-artifacts.md
- `snow_delete_attachment` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/serac/snow-delete-attachment.md
- `snow_inbound_email_action` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/serac/snow-inbound-email-action.md
- `snow_pa_indicator_manage` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/serac/snow-pa-indicator-manage.md
- `snow_rollback_deployment` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/serac/snow-rollback-deployment.md
- `snow_workflow_transition` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/serac/snow-workflow-transition.md
- `enterprise_tool_execute` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/serac/enterprise-tool-execute.md
- `snow_auto_resolve_incident` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/serac/snow-auto-resolve-incident.md
- `snow_automate_threat_response` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/serac/snow-automate-threat-response.md
- `snow_batch_request` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/serac/snow-batch-request.md
- `snow_change_manage` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/serac/snow-change-manage.md
- `snow_cicd_deploy` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/serac/snow-cicd-deploy.md
- `snow_collect_metric` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/serac/snow-collect-metric.md
- `snow_confirm_script_execution` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/serac/snow-confirm-script-execution.md
- `snow_convert_es6_to_es5` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/serac/snow-convert-es6-to-es5.md
- `snow_convert_to_es5` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/serac/snow-convert-to-es5.md
- `snow_create_mobile_action` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/serac/snow-create-mobile-action.md
- `snow_create_vulnerability_scan` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/serac/snow-create-vulnerability-scan.md
- `snow_custom_api` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/serac/snow-custom-api.md
- `snow_elevate_role` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/serac/snow-elevate-role.md
- `snow_employee_offboarding` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/serac/snow-employee-offboarding.md
- `snow_employee_onboarding` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/serac/snow-employee-onboarding.md
- `snow_execute_atf_test` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/serac/snow-execute-atf-test.md
- `snow_execute_script` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/serac/snow-execute-script.md
- `snow_execute_security_playbook` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/serac/snow-execute-security-playbook.md
- `snow_execute_transform` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/serac/snow-execute-transform.md
- `snow_fluent_build` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/serac/snow-fluent-build.md
- `snow_fluent_install` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/serac/snow-fluent-install.md
- `snow_fluent_transform` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/serac/snow-fluent-transform.md
- `snow_github_deploy` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/serac/snow-github-deploy.md
- …and 401 more: https://policylayer.com/tools/serac.md

## For agents

This record is a snapshot. Live verdicts and the full registry:

- Check every server in your MCP config at once: `npx -y policylayer stack`
- Vet a server before you add it: install the mcp-precheck skill — `npx skills add https://policylayer.com` (skill text: https://policylayer.com/skill.md)
- Query the registry over MCP: endpoint `https://api.policylayer.com/mcp` — tools `check_mcp_server`, `check_mcp_stack`, `check_tool`, `search_registry`, `get_change_events`

---

Source: the PolicyLayer MCP registry — one continuously verified record per MCP server. Full record: https://policylayer.com/registry?q=serac · API: https://policylayer.com/registry/api · Policy library: https://policylayer.com/policies/serac