Update cell values in a specific row by its ID or name
AI agents use update_row to create or update resources in Coda — usually the action step of a workflow, after the agent has gathered context. Every call changes real data in your Coda environment.
This tool creates or modifies data in a reversible manner (cells can be updated again or reverted), which is characteristic of Write operations. It does not delete data (Destructive), execute arbitrary code (Execute), or move money (Financial).
From the tool's definition Tool name 'update_row' and description 'Update cell values in a specific row by its ID or name' indicate reversible modification of data within a Coda document.
Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access update_row gives an agent:
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and Coda, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for update_row:
{
"version": "1",
"default": "deny",
"tools": {
"update_row": {
"limits": [
{
"counter": "update_row_rate",
"window": "minute",
"max": 30,
"scope": "grant"
}
]
}
}
}update_row 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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Update cell values in a specific row by its ID or name. It is categorised as a Write tool in the Coda MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.
Register the Coda MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for update_row: 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 Coda. Nothing to install.
update_row 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 update_row 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 update_row. 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.
update_row is provided by the Coda MCP server (tjc-lp/coda-mcp-server). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Start from Coda, add the rest of your stack, and see everything your agents can call. Then put policy on all of it.
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24 Coda tools catalogued and risk-classified — across an index of 43,000+ MCP servers.