Sets a basic filter (auto-filter) on a Google Spreadsheet sheet, enabling filter dropdowns on the header row.
AI agents use setBasicFilter to create or update resources in Google Workspace MCP Server — usually the action step of a workflow, after the agent has gathered context. Every call changes real data in your Google Workspace MCP Server environment.
The tool modifies spreadsheet state by applying filter configuration to a sheet. This is a Write operation because it creates/modifies data structure properties reversibly. It does not delete data (Destructive), execute arbitrary code (Execute), create new sheets/rows (those are separate tools like addSpreadsheetSheet), or move money (Financial).
From the tool's definition Tool description states it 'Sets a basic filter (auto-filter) on a Google Spreadsheet sheet' — this is a configuration modification that changes spreadsheet properties and is reversible (filters can be removed or modified).
Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access setBasicFilter gives an agent:
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 setBasicFilter:
{
"version": "1",
"default": "deny",
"tools": {
"setBasicFilter": {
"limits": [
{
"counter": "setbasicfilter_rate",
"window": "minute",
"max": 30,
"scope": "grant"
}
]
}
}
}setBasicFilter 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.
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Sets a basic filter (auto-filter) on a Google Spreadsheet sheet, enabling filter dropdowns on the header row. 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.
Register the Google Workspace MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for setBasicFilter: 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.
setBasicFilter is a Write tool with medium risk. Write tools should be rate-limited to prevent accidental bulk modifications.
Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the setBasicFilter 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 setBasicFilter. 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.
setBasicFilter 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.
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.
Free to start. No card required.
72 Google Workspace MCP Server tools catalogued and risk-classified — across an index of 43,000+ MCP servers.