Ask another agent a question and wait for their response. Like ask_user but targets an agent. Returns the message ID — use check_response to poll for the answer. The recipient agent receives the question in their terminal (if in tmux) and can respond with respond_to_message.
Part of the Taskflow MCP server. Enforce policies on this tool with Intercept, the open-source MCP proxy.
AI agents call ask_agent to retrieve information from Taskflow without modifying any data. This is common in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows where the agent needs context before taking action. Because read operations don't change state, they are generally safe to allow without restrictions -- but you may still want rate limits to control API costs.
Even though ask_agent only reads data, uncontrolled read access can leak sensitive information or rack up API costs. An agent caught in a retry loop could make thousands of calls per minute. A rate limit gives you a safety net without blocking legitimate use.
Read-only tools are safe to allow by default. No rate limit needed unless you want to control costs.
tools:
ask_agent:
rules:
- action: allowSee the full Taskflow policy for all 50 tools.
Agents calling read-class tools like ask_agent have been implicated in these attack patterns. Read the full case and prevention policy for each:
Other tools in the Read risk category across the catalogue. The same policy patterns (rate-limit, allow) apply to each.
Ask another agent a question and wait for their response. Like ask_user but targets an agent. Returns the message ID — use check_response to poll for the answer. The recipient agent receives the question in their terminal (if in tmux) and can respond with respond_to_message.. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Taskflow MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Add a rule in your Intercept YAML policy under the tools section for ask_agent. You can allow, deny, rate-limit, or validate arguments. Then run Intercept as a proxy in front of the Taskflow MCP server.
ask_agent is a Read tool with low risk. Read-only tools are generally safe to allow by default.
Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the ask_agent rule in your Intercept 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 Intercept policy for ask_agent. 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.
ask_agent is provided by the Taskflow MCP server (@dalmasonto/taskflow-mcp). Intercept sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Open source. One binary. Zero dependencies.
npx -y @policylayer/intercept