gmail.createLabel · Gmail MCP Server MCP: Risk & Policy

WHAT IT DOES

What gmail.createLabel does on Gmail MCP Server

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

WHY IT NEEDS A POLICY

Why gmail.createLabel needs a policy

Creating a label is a write operation that adds organizational metadata to a Gmail account without deleting data or executing external commands. The impact is low because label creation is non-destructive, affects only organizational structure, and carries minimal risk if an AI agent misuses it (worst case: creates unwanted labels that can be easily removed).

From the tool's definition Tool name 'createLabel' and description 'Create a new custom label' indicate a create operation that modifies Gmail's label organization. This is a reversible action (labels can be deleted or modified later).

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

Recommended rule Ready

Verdict

gmail.createLabel Rate-limited

gmail.createLabel 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": {
    "gmail.createLabel": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "gmail.createlabel_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 Gmail MCP Server, so you can run agents against it safely.

FAQ

Questions about gmail.createLabel

What does the gmail.createLabel tool do? +

Create a new custom label. Requires gmail.labels scope. It is categorised as a Write tool in the Gmail MCP Server MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.

How do I enforce a policy on gmail.createLabel? +

Register the Gmail MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for gmail.createLabel: 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 Gmail MCP Server. Nothing to install.

What risk level is gmail.createLabel? +

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

Can I rate-limit gmail.createLabel? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the gmail.createLabel 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 gmail.createLabel completely? +

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

gmail.createLabel is provided by the Gmail MCP Server MCP server (shcallaway/gmail-mcp-server). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.