Medium Risk

bootenv_create

Create a new boot environment by cloning an existing one. Useful for creating a restore point before updates.

How to control bootenv_create ↓

What bootenv_create does on Truenas

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

Medium Risk

Why bootenv_create needs a policy

This tool creates a new data structure (boot environment) by cloning from an existing one. While boot environments are critical system components, the action is fundamentally a Write operation: it creates new data without permanently destroying anything.

From the tool's definition Tool name 'bootenv_create' and description states 'Create a new boot environment by cloning an existing one.' The action is creational and reversible—a new boot environment can be deleted if needed.

Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access bootenv_create gives an agent:

How to control bootenv_create

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and Truenas, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for bootenv_create:

policy.json
{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "bootenv_create": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "bootenv_create_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 30,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

bootenv_create 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.

  1. Create a free account and register Truenas — nothing to install.
  2. Add this policy — paste it, or build it visually.
  3. Point your MCP client (Claude, Cursor, anything) at your gateway URL.
LIMIT THIS TOOL →

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Related tools and policies

Go deeper

Questions about bootenv_create

What does the bootenv_create tool do? +

Create a new boot environment by cloning an existing one. Useful for creating a restore point before updates. It is categorised as a Write tool in the Truenas MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.

How do I enforce a policy on bootenv_create? +

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

What risk level is bootenv_create? +

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

Can I rate-limit bootenv_create? +

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

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

bootenv_create is provided by the Truenas MCP server (spranab/truenas-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every Truenas tool call.

Start from Truenas, add the rest of your stack, and see everything your agents can call. Then put policy on all of it.

Free to start. No card required.

279 Truenas tools catalogued and risk-classified — across an index of 43,000+ MCP servers.

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