stage_home · mcpXL30 MCP: Risk & Policy

WHAT IT DOES

What stage_home does on mcpXL30

AI agents invoke stage_home to trigger actions in mcpXL30. What it does depends on the arguments the agent supplies, and its effects often reach beyond the immediate call — builds kicked off, notifications sent, workflows started.

WHY IT NEEDS A POLICY

Why stage_home needs a policy

On electron microscopes, 'stage home' typically moves the specimen stage to its home/reference position, which is a physical mechanical operation. This is an Execute-category action (triggers external physical operation). Given the server context mentions 'safety envelope to regulate sensitive parameters like stage motion,' misuse could damage specimens or the instrument.

From the tool's definition Tool name 'stage_home' on a server controlling a Philips XL30 ESEM microscope with stage motion capabilities; description is empty.

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

Recommended rule Ready

Verdict

stage_home Rate-limited

stage_home stays usable, but rate-capped — a runaway agent can't fire it dozens of times a minute. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

View as policy code

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "stage_home": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "stage_home_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 10,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

RATE-LIMIT THIS TOOL →

Instant setup, no code required.

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: every tool call is checked against your rule before it reaches mcpXL30, so you can run agents against it safely.

FAQ

Questions about stage_home

What does the stage_home tool do? +

stage_home. It is categorised as a Execute tool in the mcpXL30 MCP Server, which means it can trigger actions or run processes. Use rate limits and argument validation.

How do I enforce a policy on stage_home? +

Register the mcpXL30 MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for stage_home: 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 mcpXL30. Nothing to install.

What risk level is stage_home? +

stage_home is a Execute tool with high risk. Execute tools should be rate-limited and have argument validation enabled.

Can I rate-limit stage_home? +

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

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

stage_home is provided by the mcpXL30 MCP server (tspspi/mcpxl30). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.