approve_gate · Todos MCP: Risk & Policy

WHAT IT DOES

What approve_gate does on Todos

AI agents use approve_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_gate needs a policy

This tool creates or modifies data reversibly by approving a pending request, fitting the Write category. Severity is medium because approving gates can unblock workflows or release resources, creating moderate blast radius if misused by an agent to approve unintended gates. It is not Execute (no code/command execution), Destructive (reversible), or Financial (no money involved).

From the tool's definition The tool name 'approve_gate' and description 'Approve a pending approval gate request' indicate it modifies the state of a gate approval—changing it from pending to approved.

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

Recommended rule Ready

Verdict

approve_gate Rate-limited

approve_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_gate": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "approve_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_gate

What does the approve_gate tool do? +

Approve a pending approval gate request. 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_gate? +

Register the Todos MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for approve_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_gate? +

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

Can I rate-limit approve_gate? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the approve_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_gate completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for approve_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_gate? +

approve_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.