create_footnote · Google MCP: Risk & Policy

WHAT IT DOES

What create_footnote does on Google

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

WHY IT NEEDS A POLICY

Why create_footnote needs a policy

Creating a footnote modifies a Google Doc by adding new content at a specified position. This is a Write operation because it creates/inserts data that can be undone (deleted). It is not Read (no data retrieval), Execute (no code/external operations), Destructive (reversible), or Financial.

From the tool's definition Tool description states 'Create a footnote at a position in a Google Doc.' The verb 'create' indicates the tool creates (inserts) new content into a document, which is a reversible modification.

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

Recommended rule Ready

Verdict

create_footnote Rate-limited

create_footnote 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": {
    "create_footnote": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "create_footnote_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 Google, so you can run agents against it safely.

FAQ

Questions about create_footnote

What does the create_footnote tool do? +

Create a footnote at a position in a Google Doc. It is categorised as a Write tool in the Google MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.

How do I enforce a policy on create_footnote? +

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

What risk level is create_footnote? +

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

Can I rate-limit create_footnote? +

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

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

create_footnote is provided by the Google MCP server (ztgluis/google-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.