create_avd · Android Emulator MCP: Risk & Policy

WHAT IT DOES

What create_avd does on Android Emulator

AI agents use create_avd to create or update resources in Android Emulator — usually the action step of a workflow, after the agent has gathered context. Every call changes real data in your Android Emulator environment.

WHY IT NEEDS A POLICY

Why create_avd needs a policy

This tool creates new resources (Android Virtual Devices and system images) in the local environment, which is a Write operation. It is reversible via delete_avd (a sibling tool).

From the tool's definition Tool description states 'Create a new AVD. Installs the system image automatically if not present.' The verb 'create' indicates data creation; the tool generates new Android Virtual Device configurations and associated system images.

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

Recommended rule Ready

Verdict

create_avd Rate-limited

create_avd stays usable, but capped — an agent stuck in a loop can't make hundreds of changes a minute. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

View as policy code

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "create_avd": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "create_avd_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 30,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

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

FAQ

Questions about create_avd

What does the create_avd tool do? +

Create a new AVD. Installs the system image automatically if not present. It is categorised as a Write tool in the Android Emulator MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.

How do I enforce a policy on create_avd? +

Register the Android Emulator MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for create_avd: 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 Android Emulator. Nothing to install.

What risk level is create_avd? +

create_avd is a Write tool with medium risk. Write tools should be rate-limited to prevent accidental bulk modifications.

Can I rate-limit create_avd? +

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

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

create_avd is provided by the Android Emulator MCP server (janjetze/android-emulator-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.