ssh-run
Executes a command on a remote host via SSH. WARNING: This runs commands on a remote machine. Ensure the host and command are correct before executing. Returns structured output with stdout, stderr, exit code, and duration.
This record as markdown: /tools/io-github-dave-london-pare-test/ssh-run.md
What ssh-run does on Test
AI agents invoke ssh-run to trigger actions in Test. 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-run is rated High
This tool triggers arbitrary command execution on remote machines whose effects are entirely dependent on the command argument provided. While it doesn't permanently destroy data or move money, SSH command execution is a high-severity Execute-category capability. The warning emphasizes the risk.
From the tool's definition Tool explicitly executes commands on a remote host via SSH: 'Executes a command on a remote host via SSH'. Returns stdout, stderr, exit code output from command execution.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
The rule that runs ssh-run safely
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: it sits between your AI agents and Test, and checks every tool call against a rule you set before the call runs. Nothing changes on the server itself. For ssh-run, this is the rule to start with:
ssh-run 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 Test, apply this rule, and every ssh-run call is checked against it from then on.
Questions about ssh-run
Executes a command on a remote host via SSH. WARNING: This runs commands on a remote machine. Ensure the host and command are correct before executing. Returns structured output with stdout, stderr, exit code, and duration. It is categorised as a Execute tool in the Test MCP Server, which means it can trigger actions or run processes. Use rate limits and argument validation.
Register the Test MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for ssh-run: 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 Test. Nothing to install.
ssh-run 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-run 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-run. 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-run is provided by the Test 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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