AI agents call preview_template 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 only previews/displays template data by resolving variables and showing metadata (titles, dependencies, priorities). It explicitly does not create tasks or modify any state. This is a read-only operation with no capability to change, delete, or execute anything.
From the tool's definition Tool description states 'Preview a template without creating tasks' and 'Shows resolved titles, dependencies, and priorities' — purely retrieval and display of template information with no side effects or modifications.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Preview a template without creating tasks. Shows resolved titles (variables substituted), dependencies, and priorities. 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 preview_template: 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.
preview_template 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 preview_template 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 preview_template. 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.
preview_template 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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