start-application

THE RISK

High Risk

Why start-application needs a policy

This tool executes an operation that starts an application instance, which is an irreversible action that initiates external processes and changes system state. While not destructive (the application can be stopped), it is an Execute-category action because it triggers an external operation whose side effects are not immediately reversible at the tool level and depend on the argument (application UUID).

From the tool's definition Tool description states it 'Start a specific application' which triggers an external operation (application startup) whose effects depend on which application UUID is provided.

Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access start-application gives an agent:

POLICY

How to control start-application

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

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "start-application": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "start-application_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 10,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

start-application stays usable, but rate-capped — a runaway agent can't fire it dozens of times a minute. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

Create a free account and register Coolify 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.

RATE-LIMIT THIS TOOL →

Free to start. No card required.

EXPLORE

Related tools and policies

More Coolify MCP Server tools

Execute deploy Deploy an application or service using a tag or UUID. This allows you to deploy new versio Execute restart-application Restart a specific application using its UUID. This stops and then starts the application, Execute stop-application Stop a specific application using its UUID. This halts the application and makes it unavai Write update-application Update the settings of a specific application, such as health check configurations. This a Read get-application Retrieve detailed information about a specific application using its UUID. This includes t Read list-applications Fetch a list of all applications currently managed by Coolify. This provides an overview o Read list-databases Fetch a list of all databases managed by Coolify. This provides an overview of all databas Read list-deployments Retrieve a list of all running deployments in Coolify. This includes details about the dep

All 11 Coolify MCP Server tools →

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Go deeper

High-risk tools in Coolify MCP Server → Every high-risk tool this server exposes, in one view.
All high-risk MCP tools → Every high-risk tool across the catalogue, and the policy pattern that contains them.
The MCP Attack Database → Documented attack patterns against MCP deployments — and the policies that stop them.
Agent sandbox → Bounding what an agent can execute and where the boundary should sit.
Least privilege for MCP → Granting agents the minimum tool surface the task needs.
Rate Limiting MCP Tool Calls: A Practical Guide →
MCP Security: Why Prompt Guardrails Aren't Enough →

FAQ

Questions about start-application

What does the start-application tool do? +

Start a specific application using its UUID. This initiates the application and makes it available for use. It is categorised as a Execute tool in the Coolify MCP Server MCP Server, which means it can trigger actions or run processes. Use rate limits and argument validation.

How do I enforce a policy on start-application? +

Register the Coolify MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for start-application: 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 Coolify MCP Server. Nothing to install.

What risk level is start-application? +

start-application is a Execute tool with high risk. Execute tools should be rate-limited and have argument validation enabled.

Can I rate-limit start-application? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the start-application 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 start-application completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for start-application. 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 start-application? +

start-application is provided by the Coolify MCP Server MCP server (stumason/coolify-mcp-server). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every Coolify MCP Server tool call.

Start from Coolify 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 →