approve_approval_gate · Todos MCP: Risk & Policy

WHAT IT DOES

What approve_approval_gate does on Todos

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

WHY IT NEEDS A POLICY

Why approve_approval_gate needs a policy

Approving an approval gate modifies the state of a workflow checkpoint (changing it from pending to approved). This is a reversible state change (could potentially be revoked or re-evaluated), making it a Write operation. However, it could trigger downstream actions, raising severity to medium since approving gates in automated pipelines can unblock significant operations.

From the tool's definition Approve a local manual approval checkpoint

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

Recommended rule Ready

Verdict

approve_approval_gate Rate-limited

approve_approval_gate 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.

View as policy code

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "approve_approval_gate": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "approve_approval_gate_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 30,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

LIMIT THIS TOOL →

Instant setup, no code required.

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: every tool call is checked against your rule before it reaches Todos, so you can run agents against it safely.

FAQ

Questions about approve_approval_gate

What does the approve_approval_gate tool do? +

Approve a local manual approval checkpoint. It is categorised as a Write tool in the Todos MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.

How do I enforce a policy on approve_approval_gate? +

Register the Todos MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for approve_approval_gate: 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 Todos. Nothing to install.

What risk level is approve_approval_gate? +

approve_approval_gate is a Write tool with medium risk. Write tools should be rate-limited to prevent accidental bulk modifications.

Can I rate-limit approve_approval_gate? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the approve_approval_gate 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.

How do I block approve_approval_gate completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for approve_approval_gate. 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.

What MCP server provides approve_approval_gate? +

approve_approval_gate is provided by the Todos MCP server (@hasna/todos). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

// THE FULL RECORD

approve_approval_gate is one line of Todos's registry record.

The record carries the whole server: verified identity, auth posture, risk grade, every tool classified, recommended policy — re-checked continuously.

Teams ship this data inside their own products. See what a licence covers →