# browser_start_tracing

A execute tool on the Playwright MCP server.

Agent View of the PolicyLayer registry record for `browser_start_tracing`. HTML page: https://policylayer.com/tools/hanato238-playwright-mcp/browser-start-tracing

## Facts

- Tool: `browser_start_tracing`
- Server: Playwright (`hanato238/playwright-mcp`) — https://policylayer.com/tools/hanato238-playwright-mcp.md
- Homepage: https://github.com/Hanato238/playwright-mcp
- Risk category: Execute (High risk)
- Registry record: grade F, 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": "browser_start_tracing",
    "arguments": {}
  }
}
```

## Why browser_start_tracing is rated High

Starting browser tracing is an Execute action—it triggers external operations (browser instrumentation and data recording) whose effects depend on what subsequently happens in the browser during the traced session. While not immediately destructive, it executes a system operation that alters browser behavior.

From the tool's own definition: "Tool belongs to @playwright/mcp browser automation server. Name 'browser_start_tracing' indicates initiation of browser tracing/recording functionality."

## Use case

AI agents invoke browser_start_tracing to trigger actions in Playwright. 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 Playwright:

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

## Other tools on Playwright (65)

- `browser_cookie_clear` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/hanato238-playwright-mcp/browser-cookie-clear.md
- `browser_cookie_delete` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/hanato238-playwright-mcp/browser-cookie-delete.md
- `browser_localstorage_clear` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/hanato238-playwright-mcp/browser-localstorage-clear.md
- `browser_localstorage_delete` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/hanato238-playwright-mcp/browser-localstorage-delete.md
- `browser_sessionstorage_clear` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/hanato238-playwright-mcp/browser-sessionstorage-clear.md
- `browser_sessionstorage_delete` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/hanato238-playwright-mcp/browser-sessionstorage-delete.md
- `browser_click` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/hanato238-playwright-mcp/browser-click.md
- `browser_close` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/hanato238-playwright-mcp/browser-close.md
- `browser_drag` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/hanato238-playwright-mcp/browser-drag.md
- `browser_drop` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/hanato238-playwright-mcp/browser-drop.md
- `browser_evaluate` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/hanato238-playwright-mcp/browser-evaluate.md
- `browser_handle_dialog` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/hanato238-playwright-mcp/browser-handle-dialog.md
- `browser_hide_highlight` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/hanato238-playwright-mcp/browser-hide-highlight.md
- `browser_hover` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/hanato238-playwright-mcp/browser-hover.md
- `browser_mouse_click_xy` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/hanato238-playwright-mcp/browser-mouse-click-xy.md
- `browser_mouse_down` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/hanato238-playwright-mcp/browser-mouse-down.md
- `browser_mouse_drag_xy` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/hanato238-playwright-mcp/browser-mouse-drag-xy.md
- `browser_mouse_move_xy` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/hanato238-playwright-mcp/browser-mouse-move-xy.md
- `browser_mouse_up` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/hanato238-playwright-mcp/browser-mouse-up.md
- `browser_mouse_wheel` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/hanato238-playwright-mcp/browser-mouse-wheel.md
- `browser_navigate` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/hanato238-playwright-mcp/browser-navigate.md
- `browser_navigate_back` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/hanato238-playwright-mcp/browser-navigate-back.md
- `browser_network_request` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/hanato238-playwright-mcp/browser-network-request.md
- `browser_network_state_set` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/hanato238-playwright-mcp/browser-network-state-set.md
- `browser_pdf_save` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/hanato238-playwright-mcp/browser-pdf-save.md
- `browser_press_key` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/hanato238-playwright-mcp/browser-press-key.md
- `browser_resize` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/hanato238-playwright-mcp/browser-resize.md
- `browser_resume` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/hanato238-playwright-mcp/browser-resume.md
- `browser_route` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/hanato238-playwright-mcp/browser-route.md
- `browser_run_code_unsafe` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/hanato238-playwright-mcp/browser-run-code-unsafe.md
- …and 35 more: https://policylayer.com/tools/hanato238-playwright-mcp.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=hanato238-playwright-mcp · API: https://policylayer.com/registry/api · Policy library: https://policylayer.com/policies/hanato238-playwright-mcp