Execute a state-modifying OpenROAD command (set_*, create_*, read_*, write_*, flow commands).
AI agents invoke interactive_openroad_exec to trigger actions in Openroad. 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.
This tool runs arbitrary OpenROAD commands whose effects depend on the command argument. While it includes read operations (read_*), the emphasis on state-modifying commands (set_*, create_*, write_*, flow) and the ability to trigger complex EDA design workflows means misuse could irreversibly alter chip designs or corrupt design databases.
From the tool's definition The tool explicitly states it executes "state-modifying OpenROAD command" with actions including "set_*, create_*, read_*, write_*, flow commands".
Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access interactive_openroad_exec gives an agent:
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and Openroad, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for interactive_openroad_exec:
{
"version": "1",
"default": "deny",
"tools": {
"interactive_openroad_exec": {
"limits": [
{
"counter": "interactive_openroad_exec_rate",
"window": "minute",
"max": 10,
"scope": "grant"
}
]
}
}
}interactive_openroad_exec 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.
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Execute a state-modifying OpenROAD command (set_*, create_*, read_*, write_*, flow commands). It is categorised as a Execute tool in the Openroad MCP Server, which means it can trigger actions or run processes. Use rate limits and argument validation.
Register the Openroad MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for interactive_openroad_exec: 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 Openroad. Nothing to install.
interactive_openroad_exec is a Execute tool with high risk. Execute tools should be rate-limited and have argument validation enabled.
Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the interactive_openroad_exec 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 interactive_openroad_exec. 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.
interactive_openroad_exec is provided by the Openroad MCP server (the-openroad-project/openroad-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Start from Openroad, 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.
10 Openroad tools catalogued and risk-classified — across an index of 43,000+ MCP servers.