# unlock_file

Release a file lock. Only the lock holder can release it. Returns true if released.

Agent View of the PolicyLayer registry record for `unlock_file`. HTML page: https://policylayer.com/tools/todos/unlock-file

## Facts

- Tool: `unlock_file`
- Server: Todos (`@hasna/todos`) — https://policylayer.com/tools/todos.md
- Install: `npx -y @hasna/todos`
- Homepage: git+https://github.com/hasna/todos.git
- Risk category: Write (Medium risk)
- Registry record: grade F, identity unverified
- Server rate-limited: no
- Parameters: 0
- Recommended policy verdict: Rate-limited

## Example call (MCP tools/call, JSON-RPC 2.0)

```json
{
  "jsonrpc": "2.0",
  "id": 1,
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "name": "unlock_file",
    "arguments": {}
  }
}
```

## Why unlock_file is rated Medium

Unlocking a file modifies system state (lock status) reversibly, which qualifies as Write rather than Read. It is not Destructive because no data is deleted or irrevocably lost. While it could affect concurrent access if abused, the blast radius is limited to lock management rather than data loss or financial impact.

From the tool's own definition: "Tool name 'unlock_file' and description 'Release a file lock' indicate a state-changing operation that modifies lock metadata without deleting data. The operation is reversible (the file can be locked again)."

## Use case

AI agents use unlock_file 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.

## Recommended policy (PolicyLayer)

Verdict: **Rate-limited**. Enforced by the PolicyLayer MCP gateway (https://policylayer.com/mcp-gateway) before a call reaches Todos:

```json
{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "unlock_file": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "unlock_file_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 30,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}
```

## Other tools on Todos (527)

- `apply_retention_cleanup` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/todos/apply-retention-cleanup.md
- `bulk_delete_tasks` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/todos/bulk-delete-tasks.md
- `cancel_agent_run` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/todos/cancel-agent-run.md
- `cancel_agent_run_dispatch` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/todos/cancel-agent-run-dispatch.md
- `cancel_dispatch` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/todos/cancel-dispatch.md
- `cleanup_artifacts` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/todos/cleanup-artifacts.md
- `delete_agent` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/todos/delete-agent.md
- `delete_artifact` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/todos/delete-artifact.md
- `delete_comment` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/todos/delete-comment.md
- `delete_label` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/todos/delete-label.md
- `delete_milestone` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/todos/delete-milestone.md
- `delete_plan` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/todos/delete-plan.md
- `delete_project` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/todos/delete-project.md
- `delete_roadmap` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/todos/delete-roadmap.md
- `delete_search_view` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/todos/delete-search-view.md
- `delete_tag` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/todos/delete-tag.md
- `delete_task` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/todos/delete-task.md
- `delete_task_list` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/todos/delete-task-list.md
- `delete_template` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/todos/delete-template.md
- `delete_watch_rule` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/todos/delete-watch-rule.md
- `machines_archive` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/todos/machines-archive.md
- `machines_delete` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/todos/machines-delete.md
- `remove_agent_run_adapter` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/todos/remove-agent-run-adapter.md
- `remove_capacity_profile` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/todos/remove-capacity-profile.md
- `remove_encryption_profile` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/todos/remove-encryption-profile.md
- `remove_local_event_hook` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/todos/remove-local-event-hook.md
- `remove_local_extension` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/todos/remove-local-extension.md
- `remove_policy_pack` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/todos/remove-policy-pack.md
- `remove_review_routing_rule` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/todos/remove-review-routing-rule.md
- `remove_runner_sandbox_profile` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/todos/remove-runner-sandbox-profile.md
- …and 497 more: https://policylayer.com/tools/todos.md

## For agents

This record is a snapshot. Live verdicts and the full registry:

- Check every server in your MCP config at once: `npx -y policylayer stack`
- Vet a server before you add it: install the mcp-precheck skill — `npx skills add https://policylayer.com` (skill text: https://policylayer.com/skill.md)
- Query the registry over MCP: endpoint `https://api.policylayer.com/mcp` — tools `check_mcp_server`, `check_mcp_stack`, `check_tool`, `search_registry`, `get_change_events`

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Source: the PolicyLayer MCP registry — one continuously verified record per MCP server. Full record: https://policylayer.com/registry?q=todos · API: https://policylayer.com/registry/api · Policy library: https://policylayer.com/policies/todos