High Risk →

switch_tab

Switch to a specific browser tab

How to control switch_tab ↓

What switch_tab does on Webclaw

AI agents invoke switch_tab to trigger actions in Webclaw. 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 switch_tab needs a policy

Switching tabs is a browser action that changes the active context and can trigger page loads or scripts; it operates on the real Chrome browser and is a browser control action, making Execute the appropriate category. Misuse could redirect the agent's focus to sensitive tabs.

From the tool's definition Switch to a specific browser tab

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

How to control switch_tab

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

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

switch_tab 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 Webclaw — 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.
RATE-LIMIT THIS TOOL →

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Related tools and policies

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Questions about switch_tab

What does the switch_tab tool do? +

Switch to a specific browser tab. It is categorised as a Execute tool in the Webclaw MCP Server, which means it can trigger actions or run processes. Use rate limits and argument validation.

How do I enforce a policy on switch_tab? +

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

What risk level is switch_tab? +

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

Can I rate-limit switch_tab? +

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

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

switch_tab is provided by the Webclaw MCP server (kuroko1t/webclaw). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every Webclaw tool call.

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

Free to start. No card required.

21 Webclaw tools catalogued and risk-classified — across an index of 43,000+ MCP servers.

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