save_screenshot · Obs MCP: Risk & Policy

WHAT IT DOES

What save_screenshot does on Obs

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

WHY IT NEEDS A POLICY

Why save_screenshot needs a policy

The tool creates/writes a new screenshot file, which is a reversible operation (the file can be deleted). It does not execute arbitrary commands, delete data, or cause financial impacts. While it involves file I/O, the scope is limited to capturing visual output and saving it.

From the tool's definition Tool description states 'Save a screenshot of the current OBS output to a file' — this creates a new file artifact on disk.

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

Recommended rule Ready

Verdict

save_screenshot Rate-limited

save_screenshot 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": {
    "save_screenshot": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "save_screenshot_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 30,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

LIMIT THIS TOOL →

Instant setup, no code required.

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

FAQ

Questions about save_screenshot

What does the save_screenshot tool do? +

Save a screenshot of the current OBS output to a file. It is categorised as a Write tool in the Obs MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.

How do I enforce a policy on save_screenshot? +

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

What risk level is save_screenshot? +

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

Can I rate-limit save_screenshot? +

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

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

save_screenshot is provided by the Obs MCP server (larscangit/obs-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.