This record as markdown: /tools/spranab-truenas-mcp/initshutdown-delete.md
What initshutdown_delete does on Truenas
AI agents call initshutdown_delete to permanently remove resources in Truenas, typically in cleanup and lifecycle workflows. It does its job in a single call, and there is no undo.
Why initshutdown_delete is rated Critical
The tool permanently removes an init/shutdown script, which cannot be undone without recreating it. This is a destructive operation that could disrupt system startup/shutdown sequences if the wrong script is deleted. While not as critical as deleting all storage, it represents an irreversible data loss action warranting the Destructive category and high severity due to potential system instability impacts.
From the tool's definition Tool name contains 'delete' and description states 'Delete an init/shutdown script' — this irreversibly removes a script that executes during system initialization or shutdown.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
The rule that runs initshutdown_delete safely
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: it sits between your AI agents and Truenas, and checks every tool call against a rule you set before the call runs. Nothing changes on the server itself. For initshutdown_delete, this is the rule to start with:
initshutdown_delete is removed from the agent's tool list entirely, so the agent never calls it. The rest of the server keeps working.
The button opens the PolicyLayer dashboard: create your workspace, connect Truenas, apply this rule, and every initshutdown_delete call is checked against it from then on.
Questions about initshutdown_delete
Delete an init/shutdown script. It is categorised as a Destructive tool in the Truenas MCP Server, which means it can permanently delete or destroy data. Block by default and require explicit approval.
Register the Truenas MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for initshutdown_delete: 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.
initshutdown_delete is a Destructive tool with critical risk. Critical-risk tools should be blocked by default and only enabled with explicit human approval.
Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the initshutdown_delete 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.
Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for initshutdown_delete. 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.
initshutdown_delete 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.
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