AI agents call list_watch_rules 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.
This tool retrieves and displays watch rules configuration without modifying, deleting, or executing anything. It is a read-only operation that queries the state of terminal watch rules for monitoring task/plan/run/approval events. There is minimal risk from misuse since the agent can only view existing rules, not create, modify, or delete them.
From the tool's definition Tool name is 'list_watch_rules' and description states 'List local terminal watch rules' — the verb 'list' indicates retrieval/query of existing data with no side effects.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
List local terminal watch rules for task/plan/run/approval events. 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 list_watch_rules: 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.
list_watch_rules 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 list_watch_rules 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 list_watch_rules. 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.
list_watch_rules 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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