This record as markdown: /tools/io-github-dave-london-build/ssh-test.md
What ssh-test does on Build
AI agents invoke ssh-test to trigger actions in Build. 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.
Why ssh-test is rated High
Testing SSH connectivity requires actually initiating a network connection to a remote host. This is an external operation whose effects depend on arguments (target host, port, credentials). While described as a 'test', it still executes a real connection attempt against arbitrary remote infrastructure, which could be misused to probe internal networks, trigger authentication attempts, or act as reconnaissance.
From the tool's definition 'Tests SSH connectivity to a remote host' — establishes an SSH connection to an external host, which triggers a real network operation/external connection
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
The rule that runs ssh-test safely
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: it sits between your AI agents and Build, and checks every tool call against a rule you set before the call runs. Nothing changes on the server itself. For ssh-test, this is the rule to start with:
ssh-test 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.
The button opens the PolicyLayer dashboard: create your workspace, connect Build, apply this rule, and every ssh-test call is checked against it from then on.
Questions about ssh-test
Tests SSH connectivity to a remote host using. It is categorised as a Execute tool in the Build MCP Server, which means it can trigger actions or run processes. Use rate limits and argument validation.
Register the Build MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for ssh-test: 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 Build. Nothing to install.
ssh-test is a Execute tool with high risk. Execute tools should be rate-limited and have argument validation enabled.
Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the ssh-test 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.
Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for ssh-test. 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.
ssh-test is provided by the Build MCP server (Dave-London/Pare). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
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