follow_request_authorize · Mastodon MCP: Risk & Policy

WHAT IT DOES

What follow_request_authorize does on Mastodon

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

WHY IT NEEDS A POLICY

Why follow_request_authorize needs a policy

Authorizing a follow request creates a social relationship between accounts. This is a reversible write operation (the follow can later be removed), not destructive or financial. Misuse could expose account content to unintended followers.

From the tool's definition Approve a follow request

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

Recommended rule Ready

Verdict

follow_request_authorize Rate-limited

follow_request_authorize 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": {
    "follow_request_authorize": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "follow_request_authorize_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 Mastodon, so you can run agents against it safely.

FAQ

Questions about follow_request_authorize

What does the follow_request_authorize tool do? +

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

How do I enforce a policy on follow_request_authorize? +

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

What risk level is follow_request_authorize? +

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

Can I rate-limit follow_request_authorize? +

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

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

follow_request_authorize is provided by the Mastodon MCP server (vitexsoftware/mastodon-mcp-server). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.