export_todos_md · Todos MCP: Risk & Policy

WHAT IT DOES

What export_todos_md does on Todos

AI agents use export_todos_md 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 export_todos_md needs a policy

This tool writes data to a local file (todos.md), which is a reversible data modification operation. It falls under Write rather than Read (since it creates/modifies a file rather than just retrieving data) or Destructive (since it does not irreversibly delete data—a newly created or updated markdown file can be edited or deleted by other means).

From the tool's definition Tool name 'export_todos_md' and description 'Export tasks to a local todos.md markdown file' indicate file creation/modification on the local filesystem. The description explicitly states writing to a markdown file.

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

Recommended rule Ready

Verdict

export_todos_md Rate-limited

export_todos_md 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": {
    "export_todos_md": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "export_todos_md_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 export_todos_md

What does the export_todos_md tool do? +

Export tasks to a local todos.md markdown file. 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 export_todos_md? +

Register the Todos MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for export_todos_md: 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 export_todos_md? +

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

Can I rate-limit export_todos_md? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the export_todos_md 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 export_todos_md completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for export_todos_md. 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 export_todos_md? +

export_todos_md 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.