select_option · MCP Playwright Server MCP: Risk & Policy

WHAT IT DOES

What select_option does on MCP Playwright Server

AI agents invoke select_option to trigger actions in MCP Playwright Server. 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 IT NEEDS A POLICY

Why select_option needs a policy

This tool performs a browser interaction (selecting a dropdown option), which is an Execute-category action. It triggers external operations in a browser whose effects depend on the arguments provided. Selecting options can cause form state changes, trigger JavaScript events, or initiate navigation/data loading, making it a medium-severity browser action that could affect application state.

From the tool's definition Select an option from a dropdown/select element... controls web browsers through Playwright automation

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

Recommended rule Ready

Verdict

select_option Rate-limited

select_option 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.

View as policy code

policy.json

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

RATE-LIMIT THIS TOOL →

Instant setup, no code required.

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: every tool call is checked against your rule before it reaches MCP Playwright Server, so you can run agents against it safely.

FAQ

Questions about select_option

What does the select_option tool do? +

Select an option from a dropdown/select element. Supports automatic retries for flaky elements. It is categorised as a Execute tool in the MCP Playwright Server MCP Server, which means it can trigger actions or run processes. Use rate limits and argument validation.

How do I enforce a policy on select_option? +

Register the MCP Playwright Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for select_option: 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 MCP Playwright Server. Nothing to install.

What risk level is select_option? +

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

Can I rate-limit select_option? +

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

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

select_option is provided by the MCP Playwright Server MCP server (j0hanz/playwright-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.