run_tool

SERVERServiceNow MCP Server SOURCE@aartiq/servicenow-mcp

High RISK CLASS

Category Execute

Parameters 00 required

Recommended Rate-limitedsee the rule below

Registry record Grade F, identity verified Pull the record →

This record as markdown: /tools/servicenow-mcp-server/run-tool.md

WHAT IT DOES

What run_tool does on ServiceNow MCP Server

AI agents invoke run_tool 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.

RISK

Why run_tool is rated High

Dynamically executes arbitrary ServiceNow tools with potentially significant side effects depending on mode.

From the tool's definition Execute a NowAIKit tool by name, call it here, write/scripting/cmdb/atf tools

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

RECOMMENDED RULE

The rule that runs run_tool safely

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: it sits between your AI agents and ServiceNow MCP Server, and checks every tool call against a rule you set before the call runs. Nothing changes on the server itself. For run_tool, this is the rule to start with:

run_tool Rate-limited

run_tool stays usable, but rate-capped: a runaway agent can't fire it dozens of times a minute. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

View as policy code

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "run_tool": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "run_tool_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 10,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

RATE-LIMIT THIS TOOL → Instant setup, no code required.

The button opens the PolicyLayer dashboard: create your workspace, connect ServiceNow MCP Server, apply this rule, and every run_tool call is checked against it from then on.

FAQ

Questions about run_tool

What does the run_tool tool do? +

Execute a NowAIKit tool by name that is not directly exposed (lean mode). Find the exact name and its parameters with search_tools first, then call it here. Read tools always work; write/scripting/cmdb/atf tools need the connection to have that mode enabled. It is categorised as a Execute tool in the ServiceNow MCP Server MCP Server, which means it can trigger actions or run processes. Use rate limits and argument validation.

How do I enforce a policy on run_tool? +

Register the ServiceNow MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for run_tool: 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 ServiceNow MCP Server. Nothing to install.

What risk level is run_tool? +

run_tool is a Execute tool with high risk. Execute tools should be rate-limited and have argument validation enabled.

Can I rate-limit run_tool? +

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

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

run_tool is provided by the ServiceNow MCP Server MCP server (@aartiq/servicenow-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

KEEP EXPLORING

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