# update_task

Update fields on a task record (requires WRITE_ENABLED=true)

Agent View of the PolicyLayer registry record for `update_task`. HTML page: https://policylayer.com/tools/tedorigawa001-servicenow-mcp/update-task

## Facts

- Tool: `update_task`
- Server: ServiceNow-MCP (`tedorigawa001/servicenow-mcp`) — https://policylayer.com/tools/tedorigawa001-servicenow-mcp.md
- Homepage: https://github.com/tedorigawa001/ServiceNow-MCP
- Risk category: Write (Medium risk)
- Registry record: grade F, identity unverified
- Server rate-limited: no
- Parameters: 0
- Recommended policy verdict: Rate-limited

## Example call (MCP tools/call, JSON-RPC 2.0)

```json
{
  "jsonrpc": "2.0",
  "id": 1,
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "name": "update_task",
    "arguments": {}
  }
}
```

## Why update_task is rated Medium

The tool modifies existing task records in ServiceNow by updating their fields. This is a classic Write operation—data is changed but the modification is reversible (fields can be updated again to restore prior values). It does not delete data (would be Destructive), execute arbitrary code (would be Execute), or trigger financial transactions (would be Financial).

From the tool's own definition: "Tool description states 'Update fields on a task record' and requires 'WRITE_ENABLED=true'. The verb 'update' and the mention of modifying 'fields' indicate data modification that is reversible."

## Use case

AI agents use update_task to create or update resources in ServiceNow-MCP, usually the action step of a workflow, after the agent has gathered context. Every call changes real data in your ServiceNow-MCP environment.

## Recommended policy (PolicyLayer)

Verdict: **Rate-limited**. Enforced by the PolicyLayer MCP gateway (https://policylayer.com/mcp-gateway) before a call reaches ServiceNow-MCP:

```json
{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "update_task": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "update_task_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 30,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}
```

## Other tools on ServiceNow-MCP (494)

- `cancel_request` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/tedorigawa001-servicenow-mcp/cancel-request.md
- `delete_attachment` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/tedorigawa001-servicenow-mcp/delete-attachment.md
- `delete_system_property` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/tedorigawa001-servicenow-mcp/delete-system-property.md
- `delete_uib_page` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/tedorigawa001-servicenow-mcp/delete-uib-page.md
- `remove_user_from_group` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/tedorigawa001-servicenow-mcp/remove-user-from-group.md
- `restore_archived_record` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/tedorigawa001-servicenow-mcp/restore-archived-record.md
- `rollback_deployment` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/tedorigawa001-servicenow-mcp/rollback-deployment.md
- `set_cleanup_rule_active` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/tedorigawa001-servicenow-mcp/set-cleanup-rule-active.md
- `set_destroy_rule_active` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/tedorigawa001-servicenow-mcp/set-destroy-rule-active.md
- `commit_changeset` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/tedorigawa001-servicenow-mcp/commit-changeset.md
- `create_business_rule` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/tedorigawa001-servicenow-mcp/create-business-rule.md
- `create_client_script` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/tedorigawa001-servicenow-mcp/create-client-script.md
- `create_flow_action` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/tedorigawa001-servicenow-mcp/create-flow-action.md
- `create_scheduled_job` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/tedorigawa001-servicenow-mcp/create-scheduled-job.md
- `create_script_include` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/tedorigawa001-servicenow-mcp/create-script-include.md
- `execute_background_script` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/tedorigawa001-servicenow-mcp/execute-background-script.md
- `fire_event` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/tedorigawa001-servicenow-mcp/fire-event.md
- `ml_detect_anomalies` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/tedorigawa001-servicenow-mcp/ml-detect-anomalies.md
- `ml_train_anomaly_detector` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/tedorigawa001-servicenow-mcp/ml-train-anomaly-detector.md
- `ml_train_change_risk` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/tedorigawa001-servicenow-mcp/ml-train-change-risk.md
- `ml_train_incident_classifier` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/tedorigawa001-servicenow-mcp/ml-train-incident-classifier.md
- `publish_changeset` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/tedorigawa001-servicenow-mcp/publish-changeset.md
- `run_aggregate_query` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/tedorigawa001-servicenow-mcp/run-aggregate-query.md
- `run_atf_suite` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/tedorigawa001-servicenow-mcp/run-atf-suite.md
- `run_atf_test` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/tedorigawa001-servicenow-mcp/run-atf-test.md
- `run_discovery_scan` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/tedorigawa001-servicenow-mcp/run-discovery-scan.md
- `run_security_playbook` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/tedorigawa001-servicenow-mcp/run-security-playbook.md
- `run_transform_map` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/tedorigawa001-servicenow-mcp/run-transform-map.md
- `scan_vulnerabilities` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/tedorigawa001-servicenow-mcp/scan-vulnerabilities.md
- `smart_query` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/tedorigawa001-servicenow-mcp/smart-query.md
- …and 464 more: https://policylayer.com/tools/tedorigawa001-servicenow-mcp.md

## For agents

This record is a snapshot. Live verdicts and the full registry:

- Check every server in your MCP config at once: `npx -y policylayer stack`
- Vet a server before you add it: install the mcp-precheck skill — `npx skills add https://policylayer.com` (skill text: https://policylayer.com/skill.md)
- Query the registry over MCP: endpoint `https://api.policylayer.com/mcp` — tools `check_mcp_server`, `check_mcp_stack`, `check_tool`, `search_registry`, `get_change_events`

---

Source: the PolicyLayer MCP registry — one continuously verified record per MCP server. Full record: https://policylayer.com/registry?q=tedorigawa001-servicenow-mcp · API: https://policylayer.com/registry/api · Policy library: https://policylayer.com/policies/tedorigawa001-servicenow-mcp