Launch an app on the device. Uses scrcpy START_APP when a session is active for faster launch, falls back to ADB am start. Supports force-stop prefix (+) to stop the app before launching.
Part of the Scrcpy server.
Free to start. No card required.
AI agents invoke app_start to trigger processes or run actions in Scrcpy. Execute operations can have side effects beyond the immediate call -- triggering builds, sending notifications, or starting workflows. Rate limits and argument validation are essential to prevent runaway execution.
app_start can trigger processes with real-world consequences. An uncontrolled agent might start dozens of builds, send mass notifications, or kick off expensive compute jobs. PolicyLayer enforces rate limits and validates arguments to keep execution within safe bounds.
Execute tools trigger processes. Rate-limit and validate arguments to prevent unintended side effects.
{
"version": "1",
"default": "deny",
"tools": {
"app_start": {
"limits": [
{
"counter": "app_start_rate",
"window": "minute",
"max": 10,
"scope": "grant"
}
]
}
}
}See the full Scrcpy policy for all 38 tools.
These attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access app_start gives an agent. Each links to the full case and the policy that stops it:
Other execute tools across the catalogue. The same approach applies to each: rate-limit and validate the arguments.
Launch an app on the device. Uses scrcpy START_APP when a session is active for faster launch, falls back to ADB am start. Supports force-stop prefix (+) to stop the app before launching.. It is categorised as a Execute tool in the Scrcpy MCP Server, which means it can trigger actions or run processes. Use rate limits and argument validation.
Register the Scrcpy MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for app_start: 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 Scrcpy. Nothing to install.
app_start 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 app_start 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 app_start. 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.
app_start is provided by the Scrcpy MCP server (scrcpy-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Deterministic rules across all 38 Scrcpy tools. Per-identity grants. Full audit log. Live in minutes. Nothing to install.
Free to start. No card required.
4,600+ MCP servers and 31,000+ tools scanned and risk-classified.