# execute_playbook

Execute a playbook step by step, passing results forward through context (requires NOW_ASSIST_ENABLED). Supports dry_run.

Agent View of the PolicyLayer registry record for `execute_playbook`. HTML page: https://policylayer.com/tools/servicenow-mcp-server/execute-playbook

## Facts

- Tool: `execute_playbook`
- 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: Execute (High 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": "execute_playbook",
    "arguments": {}
  }
}
```

## Why execute_playbook is rated High

This tool triggers automated workflows whose effects depend entirely on the playbook's configured logic. While individual playbook actions may be benign, the tool enables execution of potentially complex sequences of operations that could modify data, trigger external integrations, or perform system administrative tasks.

From the tool's own definition: "Tool name 'execute_playbook' combined with description 'Execute a playbook step by step, passing results forward through context' explicitly indicates execution of automated workflows."

## Use case

AI agents invoke execute_playbook to trigger actions in ServiceNow MCP Server. What it does depends on the arguments the agent supplies, and its effects often reach beyond the immediate call: builds kicked off, notifications sent, workflows started.

## 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": {
    "execute_playbook": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "execute_playbook_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 10,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}
```

## Other tools on ServiceNow MCP Server (414)

- `cmdb_reconcile` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/servicenow-mcp-server/cmdb-reconcile.md
- `delete_attachment` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/servicenow-mcp-server/delete-attachment.md
- `delete_record` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/servicenow-mcp-server/delete-record.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_changes` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/servicenow-mcp-server/rollback-changes.md
- `rollback_deployment` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/servicenow-mcp-server/rollback-deployment.md
- `batch_request` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/servicenow-mcp-server/batch-request.md
- `categorize_incident` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/servicenow-mcp-server/categorize-incident.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
- `execute_script` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/servicenow-mcp-server/execute-script.md
- `fire_event` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/servicenow-mcp-server/fire-event.md
- `fluent_build` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/servicenow-mcp-server/fluent-build.md
- `fluent_explain` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/servicenow-mcp-server/fluent-explain.md
- `fluent_init` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/servicenow-mcp-server/fluent-init.md
- `fluent_validate` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/servicenow-mcp-server/fluent-validate.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
- …and 384 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