# open_camera

Open a connection to a camera device.

Agent View of the PolicyLayer registry record for `open_camera`. HTML page: https://policylayer.com/tools/13rac1-videocapture-mcp/open-camera

## Facts

- Tool: `open_camera`
- Server: Video Still Capture MCP (`13rac1/videocapture-mcp`) — https://policylayer.com/tools/13rac1-videocapture-mcp.md
- Homepage: https://github.com/13rac1/videocapture-mcp
- Risk category: Write (Medium risk)
- Registry record: grade C, identity unverified
- Server rate-limited: no
- Parameters: 0
- Recommended policy verdict: Rate-limited

## Example call (MCP tools/call, JSON-RPC 2.0)

```json
{
  "jsonrpc": "2.0",
  "id": 1,
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "name": "open_camera",
    "arguments": {}
  }
}
```

## Why open_camera is rated Medium

Opening a camera connection creates a new resource/state (an active camera connection) in the system. It is reversible (can be closed via close_connection) and does not read data, execute code, or delete anything. It falls under Write as it establishes and registers a new connection resource. Misuse could enable unauthorized camera access, hence medium severity.

From the tool's own definition: "Open a connection to a camera device"

## Use case

AI agents use open_camera to create or update resources in Video Still Capture MCP, usually the action step of a workflow, after the agent has gathered context. Every call changes real data in your Video Still Capture MCP environment.

## Recommended policy (PolicyLayer)

Verdict: **Rate-limited**. Enforced by the PolicyLayer MCP gateway (https://policylayer.com/mcp-gateway) before a call reaches Video Still Capture MCP:

```json
{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "open_camera": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "open_camera_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 30,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}
```

## Other tools on Video Still Capture MCP (6)

- `close_connection` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/13rac1-videocapture-mcp/close-connection.md
- `quick_capture` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/13rac1-videocapture-mcp/quick-capture.md
- `capture_frame` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/13rac1-videocapture-mcp/capture-frame.md
- `get_video_properties` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/13rac1-videocapture-mcp/get-video-properties.md
- `list_active_connections` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/13rac1-videocapture-mcp/list-active-connections.md
- `set_video_property` — Write — https://policylayer.com/tools/13rac1-videocapture-mcp/set-video-property.md

## For agents

This record is a snapshot. Live verdicts and the full registry:

- Check every server in your MCP config at once: `npx -y policylayer stack`
- Vet a server before you add it: install the mcp-precheck skill — `npx skills add https://policylayer.com` (skill text: https://policylayer.com/skill.md)
- Query the registry over MCP: endpoint `https://api.policylayer.com/mcp` — tools `check_mcp_server`, `check_mcp_stack`, `check_tool`, `search_registry`, `get_change_events`

---

Source: the PolicyLayer MCP registry — one continuously verified record per MCP server. Full record: https://policylayer.com/registry?q=13rac1-videocapture-mcp · API: https://policylayer.com/registry/api · Policy library: https://policylayer.com/policies/13rac1-videocapture-mcp