Approval Plugin - AgentFront

The Approval Plugin provides Claude Code-style permission management for FrontMCP servers, enabling fine-grained tool authorization with PKCE webhook security.

Why Use Approval?

Tool Permissions

Claude Code-style approval system for sensitive tool execution

Multiple Scopes

Session, user, time-limited, and context-specific approvals

PKCE Security

RFC 7636 PKCE webhooks for secure external approval systems

Audit Trail

Full audit log with grantor/revoker tracking

Installation

npm install @frontmcp/plugin-approval

How It Works

Tool Configuration

Mark tools requiring approval with approval: { required: true } in metadata

Approval Check Hook

Before tool execution, the plugin checks if approval exists

Approval Request

If not approved, throws ApprovalRequiredError for client handling

Grant/Revoke

Approvals are granted via this.approval methods or external webhooks

Quick Start

Basic Setup

import { FrontMcp, App } from '@frontmcp/sdk';
import { ApprovalPlugin } from '@frontmcp/plugin-approval';

@App({
  id: 'my-app',
  name: 'My App',
  plugins: [ApprovalPlugin.init()], // Uses memory store by default
  tools: [
    /* your tools */
  ],
})
class MyApp {}

@FrontMcp({
  info: { name: 'My Server', version: '1.0.0' },
  apps: [MyApp],
})
export default class Server {}

Require Approval on Tools

import { Tool, ToolContext } from '@frontmcp/sdk';
import { z } from '@frontmcp/sdk';

@Tool({
  name: 'file_write',
  description: 'Write to file system',
  inputSchema: { path: z.string(), content: z.string() },
  approval: {
    required: true,
    defaultScope: 'session',
    category: 'write',
    riskLevel: 'medium',
    approvalMessage: 'Allow writing to file system for this session?',
  },
})
export default class FileWriteTool extends ToolContext {
  async execute(input: { path: string; content: string }) {
    // Tool only executes if approved
    return await this.writeFile(input.path, input.content);
  }
}

Using the Approval Service

The plugin extends all execution contexts with this.approval:

@Tool({ name: 'dangerous_tool' })
class DangerousTool extends ToolContext {
  async execute(input) {
    // Check if approved
    const isApproved = await this.approval.isApproved('dangerous_tool');

    if (!isApproved) {
      // Request approval from client
      return { needsApproval: true, message: 'Please approve this action' };
    }

    // Proceed with dangerous operation
    return await this.performDangerousAction(input);
  }
}

Approval Scopes

Scope	Description	Use Case
`session`	Valid only for current session	Default, most restrictive
`user`	Persists across sessions for user	Trusted tools
`time_limited`	Expires after specified TTL	Temporary elevated access
`tool_specific`	Tied to specific tool instance	Fine-grained control
`context_specific`	Tied to context (e.g., specific repo)	Context-aware approvals

Plugin Options

Basic Configuration

ApprovalPlugin.init({
  // Storage configuration
  storage: { type: 'auto' }, // 'auto', 'memory', 'redis', 'vercel-kv'

  // Namespace for approval keys
  namespace: 'approval', // default

  // Approval workflow mode
  mode: 'recheck', // or 'webhook'

  // Enable audit logging
  enableAudit: true, // default

  // Maximum delegation depth
  maxDelegationDepth: 3, // default

  // Cleanup interval for expired approvals
  cleanupIntervalSeconds: 60, // default
});

Recheck Mode (Default)

In recheck mode, the plugin polls an external API for approval status:

ApprovalPlugin.init({
  mode: 'recheck',
  recheck: {
    url: 'https://api.example.com/approval/status',
    auth: 'jwt', // 'jwt', 'bearer', 'none', 'custom'
    interval: 5000, // ms between checks
    maxAttempts: 10,
  },
});

Webhook Mode with PKCE

For secure external approval systems using PKCE (RFC 7636):

ApprovalPlugin.init({
  mode: 'webhook',
  webhook: {
    url: 'https://approval.example.com/webhook',
    includeJwt: false, // Security: don't expose JWT by default
    challengeTtl: 300, // 5 minutes
    callbackPath: '/approval/callback',
  },
});

Tool Approval Options

approval.required

boolean

default:"true"

Whether this tool requires approval before execution

approval.defaultScope

ApprovalScope

default:"'session'"

Default scope for approvals: session, user, time_limited, tool_specific, context_specific

approval.allowedScopes

ApprovalScope[]

Restrict which scopes are allowed for this tool

approval.maxTtlMs

number

Maximum TTL for time-limited approvals (milliseconds)

approval.category

string

Category for grouping: read, write, delete, execute, admin

approval.riskLevel

string

Risk level hint: low, medium, high, critical

approval.approvalMessage

string

Message shown to user when prompting for approval

approval.alwaysPrompt

boolean

default:"false"

Prompt every time, even if previously approved (for highly sensitive operations)

approval.skipApproval

boolean

default:"false"

Skip approval entirely (for safe, read-only operations)

approval.preApprovedContexts

ApprovalContext[]

Contexts that are pre-approved (bypass approval check)

API Reference

ApprovalService Methods

isApproved(toolId)

Promise<boolean>

Check if a tool is approved for execution

const approved = await this.approval.isApproved('file_write');

grantSessionApproval(toolId, options?)

Promise<void>

Grant session-scoped approval

await this.approval.grantSessionApproval('file_write', {
  reason: 'User clicked Allow button',
});

grantUserApproval(toolId, options?)

Promise<void>

Grant user-scoped approval (persists across sessions)

await this.approval.grantUserApproval('api_access', {
  reason: 'Admin pre-approved',
});

grantTimeLimitedApproval(toolId, ttlMs, options?)

Promise<void>

Grant time-limited approval

await this.approval.grantTimeLimitedApproval('elevated_access', 3600000, {
  reason: 'Temporary elevated access for 1 hour',
});

revokeApproval(toolId, options?)

Promise<void>

Revoke an existing approval

await this.approval.revokeApproval('file_write', {
  reason: 'User clicked Revoke',
});

getApproval(toolId)

Promise<ApprovalRecord | undefined>

Get the current approval record for a tool

const record = await this.approval.getApproval('file_write');
if (record) {
  console.log('Approved at:', record.grantedAt);
  console.log('Granted by:', record.grantedBy);
}

Approval Audit Trail

Every approval records who granted it and how:

interface ApprovalRecord {
  toolId: string;
  state: 'pending' | 'approved' | 'denied' | 'expired';
  scope: ApprovalScope;
  grantedAt: number;
  grantedBy: {
    source: 'user' | 'policy' | 'admin' | 'system' | 'agent' | 'api' | 'oauth';
    identifier?: string;
    displayName?: string;
    method?: 'interactive' | 'implicit' | 'delegation' | 'batch' | 'api';
    delegatedFrom?: DelegationContext;
  };
  reason?: string;
  expiresAt?: number;
  revokedAt?: number;
  revokedBy?: ApprovalRevoker;
}

Grantor Factory Functions

Create typed grantors for audit trails:

import { userGrantor, adminGrantor, policyGrantor, systemGrantor } from '@frontmcp/plugin-approval';

// User-initiated approval
await this.approval.grantSessionApproval('tool', {
  grantedBy: userGrantor('user-123', 'John Doe', 'interactive'),
});

// Admin approval
await this.approval.grantUserApproval('tool', {
  grantedBy: adminGrantor('admin-456', 'Admin User'),
});

// Policy-based auto-approval
await this.approval.grantSessionApproval('tool', {
  grantedBy: policyGrantor('policy:read-only-safe'),
});

// System auto-approval
await this.approval.grantSessionApproval('tool', {
  grantedBy: systemGrantor('initialization'),
});

PKCE Webhook Flow

For external approval systems, the plugin implements RFC 7636 PKCE:

Generate PKCE pair: code_verifier (64 chars) + code_challenge = SHA256(verifier)
Store challenge: challenge:{code_challenge} → {toolId, sessionId, scope, expiresAt}
Send to webhook: {code_challenge, toolId, requestInfo, callbackUrl} (NO sessionId!)
External system calls back: POST /approval/callback {code_verifier, approved}
Plugin validates: SHA256(code_verifier) === stored code_challenge
Grant approval if valid

Webhook Request

The plugin sends to your webhook URL:

{
  "code_challenge": "sha256-hash-of-verifier",
  "toolId": "file_write",
  "requestInfo": {
    "toolName": "file_write",
    "category": "write",
    "riskLevel": "medium",
    "customMessage": "Allow writing to file system?"
  },
  "callbackUrl": "https://your-server.com/approval/callback"
}

Callback Response

Your approval system responds to the callback URL:

{
  "code_verifier": "original-verifier-string",
  "approved": true,
  "scope": "session",
  "ttlMs": 3600000,
  "grantedBy": {
    "source": "user",
    "identifier": "user-123",
    "displayName": "John Doe"
  }
}

The sessionId is never sent to external webhooks. PKCE ensures only the original requester can complete the approval flow.

Storage Options

The storage option uses the StorageConfig type from @frontmcp/utils and supports memory, redis, vercel-kv, upstash, and auto.

Auto-Detect (Default)

ApprovalPlugin.init({
  storage: { type: 'auto' }, // Detects from env vars (Redis, Vercel KV, Upstash, or memory)
});

Memory Storage

ApprovalPlugin.init({
  storage: { type: 'memory' },
});

Memory storage resets when the process restarts.

Redis Storage

ApprovalPlugin.init({
  storage: {
    type: 'redis',
    redis: {
      config: {
        host: 'localhost',
        port: 6379,
        password: process.env.REDIS_PASSWORD,
      },
      // Or, alternatively: url: 'redis://user:pass@host:6379/0'
      // Or, alternatively: client: existingIoRedisClient
    },
  },
});

Use Existing Storage Instance

import { createStorage } from '@frontmcp/utils';

const storage = await createStorage({ type: 'redis', redis: { url: 'redis://localhost' } });

ApprovalPlugin.init({
  storageInstance: storage,
});

Best Practices

1. Use Appropriate Scopes

Session: Default, most restrictive - good for sensitive operations
User: For tools the user has explicitly trusted
Time-limited: For temporary elevated access
Context-specific: For repository/project-specific permissions

2. Configure Risk Levels

Mark tools with appropriate risk levels to help users make informed decisions:

approval: {
  required: true,
  riskLevel: 'critical', // For destructive operations
  category: 'delete',
  alwaysPrompt: true, // Always ask for critical operations
}

3. Use PKCE for External Approvals

When integrating with external approval systems, always use webhook mode with PKCE to prevent session hijacking.

4. Track Audit Trails

Always provide meaningful reason and grantedBy information for compliance and debugging:

await this.approval.grantSessionApproval('tool', {
  grantedBy: userGrantor(userId, userName, 'interactive'),
  reason: 'User approved via UI dialog',
});

Complete Example

import { FrontMcp, App, Tool, ToolContext } from '@frontmcp/sdk';
import { ApprovalPlugin, userGrantor } from '@frontmcp/plugin-approval';
import { z } from '@frontmcp/sdk';

// Configure approval plugin with webhook mode
const approvalPlugin = ApprovalPlugin.init({
  mode: 'webhook',
  webhook: {
    url: 'https://approval.example.com/webhook',
    challengeTtl: 300,
  },
  storage: {
    type: 'redis',
    redis: {
      config: {
        host: process.env.REDIS_HOST || 'localhost',
        port: parseInt(process.env.REDIS_PORT || '6379'),
      },
    },
  },
});

// Tool requiring approval
@Tool({
  name: 'delete-account',
  description: 'Permanently delete user account',
  inputSchema: { confirm: z.boolean() },
  approval: {
    required: true,
    riskLevel: 'critical',
    category: 'delete',
    approvalMessage: 'This will permanently delete your account. Are you sure?',
    alwaysPrompt: true,
  },
})
class DeleteAccountTool extends ToolContext {
  async execute(input: { confirm: boolean }) {
    if (!input.confirm) {
      return { success: false, message: 'Deletion not confirmed' };
    }

    // Perform account deletion
    await this.deleteAccount();

    return { success: true, message: 'Account deleted' };
  }
}

// Tool for granting approvals (admin only)
@Tool({
  name: 'grant-tool-access',
  description: 'Grant access to a tool for a user',
  inputSchema: {
    toolId: z.string(),
    scope: z.enum(['session', 'user']),
  },
})
class GrantToolAccessTool extends ToolContext {
  async execute(input: { toolId: string; scope: 'session' | 'user' }) {
    const userId = this.context.authInfo?.extra?.['userId'] as string;

    if (input.scope === 'session') {
      await this.approval.grantSessionApproval(input.toolId, {
        grantedBy: userGrantor(userId, 'Admin', 'interactive'),
        reason: 'Admin granted access',
      });
    } else {
      await this.approval.grantUserApproval(input.toolId, {
        grantedBy: userGrantor(userId, 'Admin', 'interactive'),
        reason: 'Admin granted persistent access',
      });
    }

    return { success: true, message: `Access granted for ${input.toolId}` };
  }
}

@App({
  id: 'secure-app',
  name: 'Secure App',
  plugins: [approvalPlugin],
  tools: [DeleteAccountTool, GrantToolAccessTool],
})
class SecureApp {}

@FrontMcp({
  info: { name: 'Secure Server', version: '1.0.0' },
  apps: [SecureApp],
  http: { port: 3000 },
})
export default class Server {}

Links & Resources

Source Code

View the approval plugin source code

Remember Plugin

For session memory storage

Plugin Guide

Learn more about FrontMCP plugins

PKCE RFC 7636

PKCE specification

​Why Use Approval?

Tool Permissions

Multiple Scopes

PKCE Security

Audit Trail

​Installation

​How It Works

​Quick Start

​Basic Setup

​Require Approval on Tools

​Using the Approval Service

​Approval Scopes

​Plugin Options

​Basic Configuration

​Recheck Mode (Default)

​Webhook Mode with PKCE

​Tool Approval Options

​API Reference

​ApprovalService Methods

​Approval Audit Trail

​Grantor Factory Functions

​PKCE Webhook Flow

​Webhook Request

​Callback Response

​Storage Options

​Auto-Detect (Default)

​Memory Storage

​Redis Storage

​Use Existing Storage Instance

​Best Practices

​Complete Example

​Links & Resources

Source Code

Remember Plugin

Plugin Guide

PKCE RFC 7636

Why Use Approval?

Installation

How It Works

Quick Start

Basic Setup

Require Approval on Tools

Using the Approval Service

Approval Scopes

Plugin Options

Basic Configuration

Recheck Mode (Default)

Webhook Mode with PKCE

Tool Approval Options

API Reference

ApprovalService Methods

Approval Audit Trail

Grantor Factory Functions

PKCE Webhook Flow

Webhook Request

Callback Response

Storage Options

Auto-Detect (Default)

Memory Storage

Redis Storage

Use Existing Storage Instance

Best Practices

Complete Example

Links & Resources