Take a snapshot of the current page. Returns accessibility tree (numbered elements). Set lite=true to skip the screenshot (saves ~50K+ tokens). Use full snapshot only when you need to visually see the page.
AI agents call scout_snapshot to retrieve information from Scout without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
scout_snapshot retrieves and displays the current state of a web page via accessibility tree and optional screenshot. This is a read-only operation analogous to 'get' or 'fetch'—it gathers information without side effects. The lite mode option confirms the tool's primary purpose is data retrieval (accessibility metadata) rather than interaction.
From the tool's definition Tool description states it 'takes a snapshot of the current page' and 'returns accessibility tree'; these are purely observational/retrieval operations with no modification, deletion, execution, or financial effects.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Take a snapshot of the current page. Returns accessibility tree (numbered elements). Set lite=true to skip the screenshot (saves ~50K+ tokens). Use full snapshot only when you need to visually see the page. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Scout MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Scout MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for scout_snapshot: 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 Scout. Nothing to install.
scout_snapshot 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 scout_snapshot 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 scout_snapshot. 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.
scout_snapshot is provided by the Scout MCP server (lautrek/scout). 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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