Query total usage time for an activity category (coding, browsing, communication, entertainment, writing, design) or a specific app name, over a date range
AI agents call get_category_time to retrieve information from ActivityWatch MCP Server without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool retrieves and queries historical activity data (time spent in categories/apps) without creating, modifying, deleting, or executing anything. It is purely informational analysis of past computer usage.
From the tool's definition Tool description states 'Query total usage time' for categories and apps over a date range. The verb 'query' and the read-only nature of retrieving aggregated time statistics with no modification capability.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Query total usage time for an activity category (coding, browsing, communication, entertainment, writing, design) or a specific app name, over a date range. It is categorised as a Read tool in the ActivityWatch MCP Server MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the ActivityWatch MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for get_category_time: 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 ActivityWatch MCP Server. Nothing to install.
get_category_time is a Read tool with low risk. Read-only tools are generally safe to allow by default.
Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the get_category_time 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 get_category_time. 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.
get_category_time is provided by the ActivityWatch MCP Server MCP server (jm-404/activitywatch-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Every MCP server has a record like this.
Type a name, get the same breakdown: verified identity, auth posture, risk grade, capabilities, recommended policy.
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