update_agent · Spaceship MCP: Risk & Policy

WHAT IT DOES

What update_agent does on Spaceship MCP

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

WHY IT NEEDS A POLICY

Why update_agent needs a policy

The tool performs a reversible modification (update) of agent data/configuration rather than deletion or code execution. The empty description reduces confidence slightly, but the explicit 'update' action and surrounding agent management context make the Write category most appropriate.

From the tool's definition Tool name is 'update_agent' which indicates modification of agent configuration or state. Combined with context showing this is an agent lifecycle management platform with tools like create_agent and delete_agent, this clearly modifies existing agents.

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

Recommended rule Ready

Verdict

update_agent Rate-limited

update_agent 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_agent": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "update_agent_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 Spaceship MCP, so you can run agents against it safely.

FAQ

Questions about update_agent

What does the update_agent tool do? +

update_agent. It is categorised as a Write tool in the Spaceship MCP 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_agent? +

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

What risk level is update_agent? +

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

Can I rate-limit update_agent? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the update_agent 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_agent completely? +

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

update_agent is provided by the Spaceship MCP server (spaceship-ai/spaceship-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.