Soft-delete a local artifact. Use cleanup_artifacts to purge expired deletions.
AI agents call delete_artifact to permanently remove resources in Todos — typically in cleanup and lifecycle workflows. It does its job in a single call, and there is no undo.
Although described as 'soft-delete' (implying possible recovery), the tool's primary function is deletion of artifacts. Deletions are inherently destructive operations that remove data from the system. Even soft-deletes represent destructive actions that could cause data loss if misused by an agent.
From the tool's definition Tool name: 'delete_artifact'. Description states it performs a 'Soft-delete' of a local artifact, which is an irreversible deletion operation.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Soft-delete a local artifact. Use cleanup_artifacts to purge expired deletions. It is categorised as a Destructive tool in the Todos MCP Server, which means it can permanently delete or destroy data. Block by default and require explicit approval.
Register the Todos MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for delete_artifact: 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.
delete_artifact is a Destructive tool with critical risk. Critical-risk tools should be blocked by default and only enabled with explicit human approval.
Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the delete_artifact 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 delete_artifact. 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.
delete_artifact 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.
Every MCP server has a record like this.
Type a name, get the same breakdown: verified identity, auth posture, risk grade, capabilities, recommended policy.
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