create_flow · Whatsapp MCP: Risk & Policy

WHAT IT DOES

What create_flow does on Whatsapp

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

WHY IT NEEDS A POLICY

Why create_flow needs a policy

This tool creates interactive flow objects (forms, surveys, sign-ups) within WhatsApp, representing new resource creation in the WhatsApp Business platform. This is a reversible modification (flows can be deleted or modified later), placing it in the Write category rather than Execute or Destructive.

From the tool's definition Tool description states 'Create a new WhatsApp Flow' which explicitly indicates creation of new data/resources in the WhatsApp Business Cloud system. The term 'Create' combined with 'new' demonstrates this is a data-modifying action that adds to the system.

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

Recommended rule Ready

Verdict

create_flow Rate-limited

create_flow 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": {
    "create_flow": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "create_flow_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 Whatsapp, so you can run agents against it safely.

FAQ

Questions about create_flow

What does the create_flow tool do? +

Create a new WhatsApp Flow — interactive multi-step experience (forms, surveys, sign-ups) inside WhatsApp chat. It is categorised as a Write tool in the Whatsapp MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.

How do I enforce a policy on create_flow? +

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

What risk level is create_flow? +

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

Can I rate-limit create_flow? +

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

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

create_flow is provided by the Whatsapp MCP server (spirit122/whatsapp-mcp-server). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.