adb_list_apps

Lists installed apps on the connected Android device.

SERVERRenef SOURCEahmeth4n/renef-mcp

Low RISK CLASS

Category Read

Parameters 00 required

Recommended Allowedsee the rule below

Registry record Grade F, identity unverified Pull the record →

This record as markdown: /tools/ahmeth4n-renef-mcp/adb-list-apps.md

WHAT IT DOES

What adb_list_apps does on Renef

AI agents call adb_list_apps to retrieve information from Renef without modifying anything. It is typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.

RISK

Why adb_list_apps is rated Low

This tool retrieves a list of installed applications from an Android device via ADB (Android Debug Bridge). It is a read-only operation with no side effects—it does not modify system state, execute code, delete data, or move funds. The blast radius is minimal; listing apps is informational only and cannot cause harm to the device or user data if misused.

From the tool's definition Tool name 'adb_list_apps' and description 'Lists installed apps on the connected Android device' indicate a query operation that retrieves information without modifying or executing anything.

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

RECOMMENDED RULE

The rule that runs adb_list_apps safely

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: it sits between your AI agents and Renef, and checks every tool call against a rule you set before the call runs. Nothing changes on the server itself. For adb_list_apps, this is the rule to start with:

adb_list_apps Allowed

adb_list_apps is read-only, so it stays allowed. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

View as policy code

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "adb_list_apps": {}
  }
}

ALLOW ONLY THIS TOOL → Instant setup, no code required.

The button opens the PolicyLayer dashboard: create your workspace, connect Renef, apply this rule, and every adb_list_apps call is checked against it from then on.

FAQ

Questions about adb_list_apps

What does the adb_list_apps tool do? +

Lists installed apps on the connected Android device. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Renef MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.

How do I enforce a policy on adb_list_apps? +

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

What risk level is adb_list_apps? +

adb_list_apps is a Read tool with low risk. Read-only tools are generally safe to allow by default.

Can I rate-limit adb_list_apps? +

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

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

adb_list_apps is provided by the Renef MCP server (ahmeth4n/renef-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

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