Set or change the workspace directory. Re-indexes the codebase at the new path.
AI agents use set_workspace to create or update resources in Astrograph — usually the action step of a workflow, after the agent has gathered context. Every call changes real data in your Astrograph environment.
The tool modifies the active workspace configuration (Write category) rather than executing arbitrary operations or destructively deleting data. Re-indexing is reversible by switching to a different workspace. Severity is medium because changing the workspace could affect downstream analysis results and agent behavior, but the change itself is not destructive and can be undone by setting a different path.
From the tool's definition Tool description states 'Set or change the workspace directory. Re-indexes the codebase at the new path.' — this modifies workspace state and triggers re-indexing, a reversible configuration change.
Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access set_workspace gives an agent:
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and Astrograph, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for set_workspace:
{
"version": "1",
"default": "deny",
"tools": {
"set_workspace": {
"limits": [
{
"counter": "set_workspace_rate",
"window": "minute",
"max": 30,
"scope": "grant"
}
]
}
}
}set_workspace 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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Set or change the workspace directory. Re-indexes the codebase at the new path. It is categorised as a Write tool in the Astrograph MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.
Register the Astrograph MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for set_workspace: 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 Astrograph. Nothing to install.
set_workspace 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 set_workspace 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 set_workspace. 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.
set_workspace is provided by the Astrograph MCP server (thaylo/astrograph). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Start from Astrograph, 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.
12 Astrograph tools catalogued and risk-classified — across an index of 43,000+ MCP servers.