skip_schedule · Home Controller MCP: Risk & Policy

WHAT IT DOES

What skip_schedule does on Home Controller

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

WHY IT NEEDS A POLICY

Why skip_schedule needs a policy

The tool creates or modifies data (schedule state) reversibly—skipping a schedule is not permanent deletion of the rule itself, just a temporary override of the next execution. This fits the Write category.

From the tool's definition Tool description: 'Skip the next occurrence of a schedule rule.' This modifies the scheduled behavior of a smart home device by skipping one scheduled event, which is a reversible state change.

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

Recommended rule Ready

Verdict

skip_schedule Rate-limited

skip_schedule 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": {
    "skip_schedule": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "skip_schedule_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 Home Controller, so you can run agents against it safely.

FAQ

Questions about skip_schedule

What does the skip_schedule tool do? +

Skip the next occurrence of a schedule rule. It is categorised as a Write tool in the Home Controller MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.

How do I enforce a policy on skip_schedule? +

Register the Home Controller MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for skip_schedule: 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 Home Controller. Nothing to install.

What risk level is skip_schedule? +

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

Can I rate-limit skip_schedule? +

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

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

skip_schedule is provided by the Home Controller MCP server (winsthuang/home-controller). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.