# stop_container

Stop a Docker container

Agent View of the PolicyLayer registry record for `stop_container`. HTML page: https://policylayer.com/tools/docker/stop-container

## Facts

- Tool: `stop_container`
- Server: Docker (`@ckreiling/mcp-server-docker`) — https://policylayer.com/tools/docker.md
- Install: `npx -y @ckreiling/mcp-server-docker`
- Homepage: https://github.com/ckreiling/mcp-server-docker
- Risk category: Execute (High risk)
- Registry record: grade F, identity verified
- 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": "stop_container",
    "arguments": {}
  }
}
```

## Why stop_container is rated High

Stopping a container is an Execute-class action because it triggers an external operation (Docker daemon) with effects dependent on which container is targeted. While not permanently destructive (containers can be restarted), it disrupts service availability and could cause cascading failures in dependent systems.

From the tool's own definition: "Tool name 'stop_container' and description 'Stop a Docker container' indicate execution of a command that halts a running container—an irreversible operational state change."

## Use case

AI agents invoke stop_container to trigger actions in Docker. 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 Docker:

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

## Other tools on Docker (18)

- `recreate_container` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/docker/recreate-container.md
- `remove_container` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/docker/remove-container.md
- `remove_image` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/docker/remove-image.md
- `remove_network` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/docker/remove-network.md
- `remove_volume` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/docker/remove-volume.md
- `build_image` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/docker/build-image.md
- `create_container` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/docker/create-container.md
- `pull_image` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/docker/pull-image.md
- `run_container` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/docker/run-container.md
- `start_container` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/docker/start-container.md
- `fetch_container_logs` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/docker/fetch-container-logs.md
- `list_containers` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/docker/list-containers.md
- `list_images` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/docker/list-images.md
- `list_networks` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/docker/list-networks.md
- `list_volumes` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/docker/list-volumes.md
- `create_network` — Write — https://policylayer.com/tools/docker/create-network.md
- `create_volume` — Write — https://policylayer.com/tools/docker/create-volume.md
- `push_image` — Write — https://policylayer.com/tools/docker/push-image.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`

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