session_wait · Pokeclaw MCP: Risk & Policy

WHAT IT DOES

What session_wait does on Pokeclaw

AI agents invoke session_wait to trigger actions in Pokeclaw. 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.

WHY IT NEEDS A POLICY

Why session_wait needs a policy

While session_wait itself is a polling operation, it is part of a suite of session control tools (session_start, session_send, session_kill, session_output) that collectively enable arbitrary code execution on the host machine. The tool allows monitoring and synchronization of that execution. This is Execute rather than Read because it participates in controlling active code sessions, not merely querying static data.

From the tool's definition Tool enables waiting for session output/exit on active Codex CLI or Claude Code sessions spawned on the host machine.

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

Recommended rule Ready

Verdict

session_wait Rate-limited

session_wait 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.

View as policy code

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "session_wait": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "session_wait_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 10,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

RATE-LIMIT THIS TOOL →

Instant setup, no code required.

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

FAQ

Questions about session_wait

What does the session_wait tool do? +

Wait for a session to produce new output or exit (polls up to timeout). It is categorised as a Execute tool in the Pokeclaw MCP Server, which means it can trigger actions or run processes. Use rate limits and argument validation.

How do I enforce a policy on session_wait? +

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

What risk level is session_wait? +

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

Can I rate-limit session_wait? +

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

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

session_wait is provided by the Pokeclaw MCP server (madebydia/pokeclaw). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.