release_agent · Todos MCP: Risk & Policy

WHAT IT DOES

What release_agent does on Todos

AI agents use release_agent 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 release_agent needs a policy

The tool modifies agent session state by clearing session binding and releasing the agent name. This is a reversible write operation (a new agent can re-acquire the name/session), not destructive since it doesn't delete data permanently. Misuse could disrupt an active agent session prematurely, causing moderate disruption to task management workflows.

From the tool's definition release/logout an agent — clears session binding and makes the name immediately available

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

Recommended rule Ready

Verdict

release_agent Rate-limited

release_agent 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": {
    "release_agent": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "release_agent_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 release_agent

What does the release_agent tool do? +

Explicitly release/logout an agent — clears session binding and makes the name immediately available. Call this when your session ends instead of waiting for the 30-minute stale timeout. 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 release_agent? +

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

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

Can I rate-limit release_agent? +

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

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

release_agent 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.