timeline_operation

THE RISK

High Risk

Why timeline_operation needs a policy

This tool triggers playback control operations (play, pause, rewind) on an active presentation timeline. These are external operations that affect the state of a running ProPresenter 7 instance. It falls under Execute as it triggers external operations whose effects depend on the arguments passed (which operation to perform), with medium severity since misuse could disrupt a live presentation.

From the tool's definition Perform timeline operation (play, pause, rewind) on active presentation

Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access timeline_operation gives an agent:

POLICY

How to control timeline_operation

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and Propresenter, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for timeline_operation:

policy.json

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

timeline_operation 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.

Create a free account and register Propresenter — nothing to install.
Add this policy — paste it, or build it visually.
Point your MCP client (Claude, Cursor, anything) at your gateway URL.

RATE-LIMIT THIS TOOL →

Free to start. No card required.

EXPLORE

Related tools and policies

More Propresenter tools

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All 177 Propresenter tools →

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Go deeper

High-risk tools in Propresenter → Every high-risk tool this server exposes, in one view.
All high-risk MCP tools → Every high-risk tool across the catalogue, and the policy pattern that contains them.
The MCP Attack Database → Documented attack patterns against MCP deployments — and the policies that stop them.
Agent sandbox → Bounding what an agent can execute and where the boundary should sit.
Least privilege for MCP → Granting agents the minimum tool surface the task needs.
Rate Limiting MCP Tool Calls: A Practical Guide →
MCP Security: Why Prompt Guardrails Aren't Enough →

FAQ

Questions about timeline_operation

What does the timeline_operation tool do? +

Perform timeline operation (play, pause, rewind) on active presentation. It is categorised as a Execute tool in the Propresenter MCP Server, which means it can trigger actions or run processes. Use rate limits and argument validation.

How do I enforce a policy on timeline_operation? +

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

What risk level is timeline_operation? +

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

Can I rate-limit timeline_operation? +

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

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

timeline_operation is provided by the Propresenter MCP server (@alxpark/propresenter-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every Propresenter tool call.

Start from Propresenter, add the rest of your stack, and see everything your agents can call. Then put policy on all of it.

CHECK YOUR STACK →