renameFile

THE RISK

Medium Risk

Why renameFile needs a policy

Renaming is a reversible modification operation that changes file/folder names but does not delete, destroy, or create new files. The action affects data organization and naming but is undoable (can be renamed back). Blast radius is medium because incorrect renames could cause confusion or break references to file paths in automation workflows, but the operation itself is non-destructive and reversible.

From the tool's definition Tool name 'renameFile' and description 'Renames a file or folder in Google Drive' indicate the tool modifies metadata of existing files/folders.

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

POLICY

How to control renameFile

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

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "renameFile": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "renamefile_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 30,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

renameFile 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.

Create a free account and register Google Workspace MCP Server — nothing to install.
Add this policy — paste it, or build it visually.
Point your MCP client (Claude, Cursor, anything) at your gateway URL.

LIMIT THIS TOOL →

Free to start. No card required.

EXPLORE

Related tools and policies

More Google Workspace MCP Server tools

Destructive clearSpreadsheetRange Clears all values from a specific range in a Google Spreadsheet. Destructive deleteCalendarEvent Delete a calendar event. Destructive deleteComment Deletes a comment from the document. Destructive deleteFile Permanently deletes a file or folder from Google Drive. Destructive deleteGmailFilter Delete a Gmail filter. Destructive deleteGmailLabel Delete a Gmail label. Cannot delete system labels. Destructive deleteRange Deletes content within a specified range (start index inclusive, end index exclusive) from Execute updateScriptContent Updates the content of an Apps Script project. You can add multiple script files (Code.gs,

All 72 Google Workspace MCP Server tools →

Write tools on other servers

M-Team MCP Server download_torrent YouTube MCP Server generate_video_title Android Forensics ADB MCP Server combine_reports 0xarchive web3_signup

Go deeper

The MCP Attack Database → Documented attack patterns against MCP deployments — and the policies that stop them.
Argument validation → Checking tool call arguments against schema and policy before they run.
Scoped token → Per-person credentials that grant a defined subset of servers and tools.
Rate Limiting MCP Tool Calls: A Practical Guide →
MCP Security: Why Prompt Guardrails Aren't Enough →

FAQ

Questions about renameFile

What does the renameFile tool do? +

Renames a file or folder in Google Drive. It is categorised as a Write tool in the Google Workspace 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 renameFile? +

Register the Google Workspace MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for renameFile: 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 Google Workspace MCP Server. Nothing to install.

What risk level is renameFile? +

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

Can I rate-limit renameFile? +

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

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

renameFile is provided by the Google Workspace MCP Server MCP server (sputnicyoji/google-workspace-mcp-with-script). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every Google Workspace MCP Server tool call.

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

CHECK YOUR STACK →