# Launch

Launch action, Launch an Android app or URL. Parameters: uri (string) - App name, package name, or URL to launch. Prioritize using the exact package name or URL the user has provided. If none provided, use the accurate app name.

Agent View of the PolicyLayer registry record for `Launch`. HTML page: https://policylayer.com/tools/android/launch

## Facts

- Tool: `Launch`
- Server: Android (`@midscene/android-mcp`) — https://policylayer.com/tools/android.md
- Install: `npx -y @midscene/android-mcp`
- Homepage: https://www.npmjs.com/package/@midscene/android-mcp
- Risk category: Execute (High risk)
- Registry record: grade F, identity unverified
- Server rate-limited: no
- Parameters: 7 (1 required)
- Recommended policy verdict: Rate-limited

## Parameters

| Parameter | Type | Required | Description |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `uri` | string | yes | App name, package name, or URL to launch. Prioritize using the exact package name or URL the user has provided. If none provided, use the accurate app name. |
| `android.deviceId` | string | no | Android device ID (from adb devices) |
| `android.useScrcpy` | boolean | no | Enable scrcpy accelerated screenshots |
| `android.aiActContext` | string | no | Background knowledge passed to aiAct. Default: no extra context. |
| `android.waitAfterAction` | number | no | Wait time in milliseconds after each action execution. Default: 300ms. |
| `android.replanningCycleLimit` | integer | no | Maximum number of replanning cycles for aiAct. Default: model adapter default. |
| `android.screenshotShrinkFactor` | number | no | Screenshot shrink factor before sending images to AI. Default: 1; high values may reduce recognition quality, especially on mobile. |

Parameters from the server's own tool schema.

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

```json
{
  "jsonrpc": "2.0",
  "id": 1,
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "name": "Launch",
    "arguments": {
      "uri": "<uri>"
    }
  }
}
```

## Why Launch is rated High

This tool triggers external operations (app launches, URL navigation) that can have unpredictable side effects depending on what URI an AI agent provides. While not as severe as destructive operations, launching arbitrary apps or URLs could lead to unintended consequences like accessing sensitive applications, triggering unwanted network requests, or invoking apps with security implications.

From the tool's own definition: "Tool description states 'Launch an Android app or URL' with parameter 'uri' that accepts 'App name, package name, or URL to launch'."

Risk signals: Accepts URL/endpoint input (uri)

## Use case

AI agents invoke Launch to trigger actions in Android. 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.

## Recommended policy (PolicyLayer)

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

```json
{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "Launch": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "launch_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 10,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}
```

## Other tools on Android (22)

- `ClearInput` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/android/clearinput.md
- `act` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/android/act.md
- `android_connect` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/android/android-connect.md
- `AndroidBackButton` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/android/androidbackbutton.md
- `AndroidHomeButton` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/android/androidhomebutton.md
- `AndroidRecentAppsButton` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/android/androidrecentappsbutton.md
- `CursorMove` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/android/cursormove.md
- `DoubleClick` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/android/doubleclick.md
- `DragAndDrop` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/android/draganddrop.md
- `KeyboardPress` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/android/keyboardpress.md
- `LongPress` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/android/longpress.md
- `Pinch` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/android/pinch.md
- `PullGesture` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/android/pullgesture.md
- `RunAdbShell` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/android/runadbshell.md
- `Scroll` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/android/scroll.md
- `Swipe` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/android/swipe.md
- `Tap` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/android/tap.md
- `Terminate` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/android/terminate.md
- `take_screenshot` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/android/take-screenshot.md
- `android_disconnect` — Write — https://policylayer.com/tools/android/android-disconnect.md
- `assert` — Write — https://policylayer.com/tools/android/assert.md
- `Input` — Write — https://policylayer.com/tools/android/input.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=android · API: https://policylayer.com/registry/api · Policy library: https://policylayer.com/policies/android