goal · Exocortex MCP: Risk & Policy

WHAT IT DOES

What goal does on Exocortex

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

WHY IT NEEDS A POLICY

Why goal needs a policy

The tool creates and modifies goal and milestone records within the exocortex memory system. These are Write operations (data creation/modification) that are reversible through subsequent updates or deletions.

From the tool's definition Tool description states 'create, update' and 'manage goals' and 'log progress', indicating reversible modifications to goal records and milestone data.

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

Recommended rule Ready

Verdict

goal Rate-limited

goal 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": {
    "goal": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "goal_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 Exocortex, so you can run agents against it safely.

FAQ

Questions about goal

What does the goal tool do? +

Manage goals: create, list, update, get details, log progress, and manage milestones. It is categorised as a Write tool in the Exocortex MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.

How do I enforce a policy on goal? +

Register the Exocortex MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for goal: 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 Exocortex. Nothing to install.

What risk level is goal? +

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

Can I rate-limit goal? +

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

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

goal is provided by the Exocortex MCP server (shawnhack/exocortex). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.