update-assistant · OpenAI Assistant MCP Server MCP

WHAT IT DOES

What update-assistant does on OpenAI Assistant MCP Server

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

WHY IT NEEDS A POLICY

Why update-assistant needs a policy

This tool creates or modifies data reversibly by updating assistant configurations (name, instructions, model, tools, metadata, etc.). The changes can be reverted by subsequent updates, making it a Write operation. Severity is medium because misconfiguration could affect AI behavior or expose sensitive instructions, but the change is not destructive or financial in nature.

From the tool's definition Tool name 'update-assistant' and description 'Update an existing OpenAI assistant' indicate modification of an existing resource without deletion or irreversible effects.

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

Recommended rule Ready

Verdict

update-assistant Rate-limited

update-assistant 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": {
    "update-assistant": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "update-assistant_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 OpenAI Assistant MCP Server, so you can run agents against it safely.

FAQ

Questions about update-assistant

What does the update-assistant tool do? +

Update an existing OpenAI assistant. It is categorised as a Write tool in the OpenAI Assistant 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 update-assistant? +

Register the OpenAI Assistant MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for update-assistant: 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 OpenAI Assistant MCP Server. Nothing to install.

What risk level is update-assistant? +

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

Can I rate-limit update-assistant? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the update-assistant 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 update-assistant completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for update-assistant. 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 update-assistant? +

update-assistant is provided by the OpenAI Assistant MCP Server MCP server (snilld-ai/openai-assistant-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.