# create_approval_rule

Create an approval rule that automatically generates approval requests when a record matches given conditions (requires WRITE_ENABLED=true).

Agent View of the PolicyLayer registry record for `create_approval_rule`. HTML page: https://policylayer.com/tools/servicenow-mcp-server/create-approval-rule

## Facts

- Tool: `create_approval_rule`
- Server: ServiceNow MCP Server (`@aartiq/servicenow-mcp`) — https://policylayer.com/tools/servicenow-mcp-server.md
- Install: `npx -y @aartiq/servicenow-mcp`
- Homepage: https://github.com/aartiq/servicenow-mcp
- Risk category: Write (Medium risk)
- Registry record: grade F, identity verified
- 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": "create_approval_rule",
    "arguments": {}
  }
}
```

## Why create_approval_rule is rated Medium

This tool creates approval rules that trigger automatic approval workflows. While it modifies system configuration reversibly (approval rules can be updated or deleted), it does not irreversibly destroy data, execute arbitrary code, or move financial resources.

From the tool's own definition: "Tool description states it 'Create[s] an approval rule' and requires 'WRITE_ENABLED=true', indicating it creates and persists new configuration objects."

## Use case

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

## Recommended policy (PolicyLayer)

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

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

## Other tools on ServiceNow MCP Server (364)

- `delete_attachment` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/servicenow-mcp-server/delete-attachment.md
- `delete_system_property` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/servicenow-mcp-server/delete-system-property.md
- `delete_uib_page` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/servicenow-mcp-server/delete-uib-page.md
- `remove_user_from_group` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/servicenow-mcp-server/remove-user-from-group.md
- `rollback_deployment` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/servicenow-mcp-server/rollback-deployment.md
- `commit_changeset` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/servicenow-mcp-server/commit-changeset.md
- `create_business_rule` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/servicenow-mcp-server/create-business-rule.md
- `create_flow_action` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/servicenow-mcp-server/create-flow-action.md
- `create_scheduled_job` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/servicenow-mcp-server/create-scheduled-job.md
- `create_script_include` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/servicenow-mcp-server/create-script-include.md
- `create_ui_action` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/servicenow-mcp-server/create-ui-action.md
- `execute_background_script` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/servicenow-mcp-server/execute-background-script.md
- `fire_event` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/servicenow-mcp-server/fire-event.md
- `ml_detect_anomalies` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/servicenow-mcp-server/ml-detect-anomalies.md
- `ml_train_anomaly_detector` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/servicenow-mcp-server/ml-train-anomaly-detector.md
- `ml_train_change_risk` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/servicenow-mcp-server/ml-train-change-risk.md
- `ml_train_incident_classifier` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/servicenow-mcp-server/ml-train-incident-classifier.md
- `publish_changeset` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/servicenow-mcp-server/publish-changeset.md
- `run_aggregate_query` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/servicenow-mcp-server/run-aggregate-query.md
- `run_atf_suite` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/servicenow-mcp-server/run-atf-suite.md
- `run_atf_test` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/servicenow-mcp-server/run-atf-test.md
- `run_discovery_scan` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/servicenow-mcp-server/run-discovery-scan.md
- `run_security_playbook` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/servicenow-mcp-server/run-security-playbook.md
- `run_transform_map` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/servicenow-mcp-server/run-transform-map.md
- `scan_vulnerabilities` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/servicenow-mcp-server/scan-vulnerabilities.md
- `switch_update_set` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/servicenow-mcp-server/switch-update-set.md
- `test_flow` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/servicenow-mcp-server/test-flow.md
- `trigger_agentic_playbook` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/servicenow-mcp-server/trigger-agentic-playbook.md
- `trigger_flow` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/servicenow-mcp-server/trigger-flow.md
- `trigger_scheduled_job` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/servicenow-mcp-server/trigger-scheduled-job.md
- …and 334 more: https://policylayer.com/tools/servicenow-mcp-server.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=servicenow-mcp-server · API: https://policylayer.com/registry/api · Policy library: https://policylayer.com/policies/servicenow-mcp-server