launch_app

A execute tool on the Claude Mobile MCP server.

SERVERClaude Mobile SOURCEalexgladkov/claude-in-mobile

High RISK CLASS

Category Execute

Parameters 00 required

Recommended Rate-limitedsee the rule below

Registry record Grade F, identity unverified Pull the record →

This record as markdown: /tools/alexgladkov-claude-in-mobile/launch-app.md

WHAT IT DOES

What launch_app does on Claude Mobile

AI agents invoke launch_app to trigger actions in Claude Mobile. What it does depends on the arguments the agent supplies, and its effects often reach beyond the immediate call: builds kicked off, notifications sent, workflows started.

RISK

Why launch_app is rated High

Launching applications on a device is an Execute action—it triggers an external operation (app startup) on a controlled system. While not as severe as Destructive or Financial actions, it could be misused to launch malicious apps, access sensitive functionality, or trigger unintended side effects depending on the app launched.

From the tool's definition Tool launches applications on mobile devices (Android via ADB and iOS Simulator via simctl). The description states it enables 'app management' and the tool 'Launch app' executes the action of starting an application, which is an external operation whose…

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

RECOMMENDED RULE

The rule that runs launch_app safely

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

launch_app Rate-limited

launch_app stays usable, but rate-capped: a runaway agent can't fire it dozens of times a minute. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

View as policy code

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "launch_app": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "launch_app_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 10,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

RATE-LIMIT THIS TOOL → Instant setup, no code required.

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

FAQ

Questions about launch_app

What does the launch_app tool do? +

launch_app is a execute tool on the Claude Mobile MCP server. It is categorised as a Execute tool in the Claude Mobile MCP Server, which means it can trigger actions or run processes. Use rate limits and argument validation.

How do I enforce a policy on launch_app? +

Register the Claude Mobile MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for launch_app: 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 Claude Mobile. Nothing to install.

What risk level is launch_app? +

launch_app is a Execute tool with high risk. Execute tools should be rate-limited and have argument validation enabled.

Can I rate-limit launch_app? +

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

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

launch_app is provided by the Claude Mobile MCP server (alexgladkov/claude-in-mobile). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

KEEP EXPLORING

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