High Risk →

step_out

Step out of the current function in the debugger.

How to control step_out ↓

What step_out does on Dap

AI agents invoke step_out to trigger actions in Dap. 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.

High Risk

Why step_out needs a policy

This tool controls debugger execution flow by stepping out of the current function, which is an active execution control operation. It triggers external debugger state changes whose effects depend on the current program state, classifying it as Execute. Misuse could cause a debugging session to advance past critical breakpoints or inspection points, losing debugging context.

From the tool's definition Step out of the current function in the debugger

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

How to control step_out

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

policy.json
{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "step_out": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "step_out_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 10,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

step_out 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.

  1. Create a free account and register Dap — nothing to install.
  2. Add this policy — paste it, or build it visually.
  3. Point your MCP client (Claude, Cursor, anything) at your gateway URL.
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Related tools and policies

Go deeper

Questions about step_out

What does the step_out tool do? +

Step out of the current function in the debugger. It is categorised as a Execute tool in the Dap MCP Server, which means it can trigger actions or run processes. Use rate limits and argument validation.

How do I enforce a policy on step_out? +

Register the Dap MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for step_out: 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 Dap. Nothing to install.

What risk level is step_out? +

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

Can I rate-limit step_out? +

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

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

step_out is provided by the Dap MCP server (kashuncheng/dap_mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every Dap tool call.

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

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