browser_tabs

THE RISK

Low Risk

Why browser_tabs needs a policy

The tool retrieves information about open browser tabs and allows navigation between them. Both operations are non-destructive, have no side effects on data, and represent query/navigation capabilities only. The blast radius of misuse is minimal—an agent could view tab information or change which tab is active, but cannot modify, delete, or execute code through this tool alone.

From the tool's definition Tool description states 'List open tabs or switch to a tab by number.' Listing tabs is a read operation. Switching to a tab is a navigation action without data modification or destructive effects.

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

POLICY

How to control browser_tabs

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

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "browser_tabs": {}
  }
}

browser_tabs is read-only, so it stays allowed — but everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

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

CAP THIS TOOL →

Free to start. No card required.

EXPLORE

Related tools and policies

More Apple Shortcuts tools

Destructive cancel_runway_task Cancel a pending/running task or delete a completed task. Saves credits if cancelled befor Destructive delete_custom_voice Delete a custom voice by ID. This is permanent and cannot be undone. Destructive delete_email Delete or move an email to trash. Destructive delete_event Delete a calendar event. Destructive delete_file Delete a file or folder from OneDrive. Destructive delete_library_item Delete a file or folder from a SharePoint document library. Destructive delete_list_item Delete an item from a SharePoint list. Destructive opus_cancel_scheduled_post Cancel a scheduled social post BEFORE its publishAt time.

All 423 Apple Shortcuts tools →

Read tools on other servers

M-Team MCP Server get_torrent_detail YouTube MCP Server search_channel Android Forensics ADB MCP Server parse_browser_history 0xarchive web3_challenge

Go deeper

The MCP Attack Database → Documented attack patterns against MCP deployments — and the policies that stop them.
Data exfiltration → How read access becomes an exfiltration channel when chained with untrusted content.
MCP token cost → What connecting this server costs in context-window tokens on every request.
Rate Limiting MCP Tool Calls: A Practical Guide →
MCP Security: Why Prompt Guardrails Aren't Enough →

FAQ

Questions about browser_tabs

What does the browser_tabs tool do? +

List open tabs or switch to a tab by number. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Apple Shortcuts MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.

How do I enforce a policy on browser_tabs? +

Register the Apple Shortcuts MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for browser_tabs: 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 Apple Shortcuts. Nothing to install.

What risk level is browser_tabs? +

browser_tabs is a Read tool with low risk. Read-only tools are generally safe to allow by default.

Can I rate-limit browser_tabs? +

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

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

browser_tabs is provided by the Apple Shortcuts MCP server (@mindstone/mcp-server-apple-shortcuts). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every Apple Shortcuts tool call.

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

CHECK YOUR STACK →