AI agents call task_list to retrieve information from Lockstep without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool retrieves and queries task data without creating, modifying, deleting, or executing any operations. It is purely informational, making it a Read category tool with low severity since listing tasks poses minimal risk even if misused by an AI agent.
From the tool's definition Tool name 'task_list' and description 'List tasks with optional filters' explicitly indicate data retrieval with no modification. The mention of 'excluding done tasks to reduce response size' confirms query-only behavior.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
List tasks with optional filters. For active work, defaults to excluding done tasks to reduce response size. Use includeDone=true or status=. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Lockstep MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Lockstep MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for task_list: 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 Lockstep. Nothing to install.
task_list 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 task_list 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 task_list. 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.
task_list is provided by the Lockstep MCP server (tmmoore286/lockstep-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Every MCP server has a record like this.
Type a name, get the same breakdown: verified identity, auth posture, risk grade, capabilities, recommended policy.
Teams ship this data inside their own products. See what a licence covers →