Append clips to the current timeline by name.
AI agents use append_to_timeline to create or update resources in DaVinci Resolve MCP Server — usually the action step of a workflow, after the agent has gathered context. Every call changes real data in your DaVinci Resolve MCP Server environment.
This tool modifies video project state by adding clips to an existing timeline. While this is a creative editing operation rather than destructive data removal, it constitutes Write-category behavior—it creates or alters project content in a reversible manner (clips can be removed, reorganized, or undone).
From the tool's definition Tool appends clips to the current timeline, which creates or modifies the timeline structure reversibly. The description states 'Append clips to the current timeline by name,' indicating data modification without deletion or irreversible changes.
Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access append_to_timeline gives an agent:
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and DaVinci Resolve MCP Server, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for append_to_timeline:
{
"version": "1",
"default": "deny",
"tools": {
"append_to_timeline": {
"limits": [
{
"counter": "append_to_timeline_rate",
"window": "minute",
"max": 30,
"scope": "grant"
}
]
}
}
}append_to_timeline 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.
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Append clips to the current timeline by name. It is categorised as a Write tool in the DaVinci Resolve MCP Server MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.
Register the DaVinci Resolve MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for append_to_timeline: 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 DaVinci Resolve MCP Server. Nothing to install.
append_to_timeline is a Write tool with medium risk. Write tools should be rate-limited to prevent accidental bulk modifications.
Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the append_to_timeline 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 append_to_timeline. 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.
append_to_timeline is provided by the DaVinci Resolve MCP Server MCP server (tooflex/davinci-resolve-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Start from DaVinci Resolve MCP Server, add the rest of your stack, and see everything your agents can call. Then put policy on all of it.
Free to start. No card required.
32 DaVinci Resolve MCP Server tools catalogued and risk-classified — across an index of 43,000+ MCP servers.