Use an ability (checks cooldown, sets new cooldown)
AI agents use use_ability to create or update resources in DMCP — usually the action step of a workflow, after the agent has gathered context. Every call changes real data in your DMCP environment.
This tool modifies game state by checking and setting cooldown timers for abilities. It creates/updates data within the RPG game state in a reversible manner (cooldowns can expire or be reset). No code execution, deletion, or financial transactions are involved. Severity is low as misuse only affects an in-game RPG session.
From the tool's definition Use an ability (checks cooldown, sets new cooldown)
Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access use_ability gives an agent:
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and DMCP, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for use_ability:
{
"version": "1",
"default": "deny",
"tools": {
"use_ability": {
"limits": [
{
"counter": "use_ability_rate",
"window": "minute",
"max": 30,
"scope": "grant"
}
]
}
}
}use_ability 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.
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Use an ability (checks cooldown, sets new cooldown). It is categorised as a Write tool in the DMCP MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.
Register the D MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for use_ability: 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 DMCP. Nothing to install.
use_ability is a Write tool with medium risk. Write tools should be rate-limited to prevent accidental bulk modifications.
Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the use_ability 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.
Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for use_ability. 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.
use_ability is provided by the D MCP server (shawnrushefsky/dmcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Start from DMCP, add the rest of your stack, and see everything your agents can call. Then put policy on all of it.
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204 DMCP tools catalogued and risk-classified — across an index of 43,000+ MCP servers.