approve_task · Tendem MCP: Risk & Policy

WHAT IT DOES

What approve_task does on Tendem MCP

AI agents use approve_task to create or update resources in Tendem MCP — usually the action step of a workflow, after the agent has gathered context. Every call changes real data in your Tendem MCP environment.

WHY IT NEEDS A POLICY

Why approve_task needs a policy

The tool appears to approve a task, transitioning its state from pending/awaiting-approval to approved. This is a data modification (Write category) that is reversible—tasks can presumably be un-approved or re-evaluated. Without a description, confidence is moderate (0.65).

From the tool's definition Tool named 'approve_task' with empty description. The name indicates it modifies task state (approval status) in a task management system, constituting a reversible write operation.

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

Recommended rule Ready

Verdict

approve_task Rate-limited

approve_task 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": {
    "approve_task": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "approve_task_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 Tendem MCP, so you can run agents against it safely.

FAQ

Questions about approve_task

What does the approve_task tool do? +

approve_task. It is categorised as a Write tool in the Tendem MCP MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.

How do I enforce a policy on approve_task? +

Register the Tendem MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for approve_task: 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 Tendem MCP. Nothing to install.

What risk level is approve_task? +

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

Can I rate-limit approve_task? +

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

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

approve_task is provided by the Tendem MCP server (toloka/tendem-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.