update_deadline · Ebb Ai MCP: Risk & Policy

WHAT IT DOES

What update_deadline does on Ebb Ai

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

WHY IT NEEDS A POLICY

Why update_deadline needs a policy

This tool modifies task metadata (deadline and scheduling) but does not delete, execute arbitrary code, move money, or irreversibly destroy data. The change can be undone by rescheduling again. While it affects task behavior, the impact is limited to scheduling parameters within the carbon-aware queuing system.

From the tool's definition Tool description states it 're-score[s] and reschedule[s] a queued/scheduled task', which modifies the state of an existing task's deadline and scheduling parameters.

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

Recommended rule Ready

Verdict

update_deadline Rate-limited

update_deadline 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": {
    "update_deadline": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "update_deadline_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 Ebb Ai, so you can run agents against it safely.

FAQ

Questions about update_deadline

What does the update_deadline tool do? +

Re-score and reschedule a queued/scheduled task against a new deadline. Throws if the task is already running or terminal, or if the new deadline is invalid/in the past. It is categorised as a Write tool in the Ebb Ai MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.

How do I enforce a policy on update_deadline? +

Register the Ebb Ai MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for update_deadline: 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 Ebb Ai. Nothing to install.

What risk level is update_deadline? +

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

Can I rate-limit update_deadline? +

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

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

update_deadline is provided by the Ebb Ai MCP server (vitalini/ebb-ai). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.