AI agents call build_handoff_packet to retrieve information from Todos without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
The tool appears to compile/read existing information (tasks, blockers, comments) into a handoff packet. While 'build' could imply write, the description focuses on gathering and presenting existing context. However, it may write/create the packet file, which would make it Write.
From the tool's definition 'Build offline handoff packet with project/plan context, active tasks, blockers, comments, verification, and next action' — aggregates and packages existing data for handoff
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Build offline handoff packet with project/plan context, active tasks, blockers, comments, verification, and next action. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Todos MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Todos MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for build_handoff_packet: 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.
build_handoff_packet 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 build_handoff_packet 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 build_handoff_packet. 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.
build_handoff_packet 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.
build_handoff_packet 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 →