create_session · Poof MCP: Risk & Policy

WHAT IT DOES

What create_session does on Poof

AI agents invoke create_session to trigger actions in Poof. 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 create_session needs a policy

This tool launches a new terminal session in macOS Terminal.app via AppleScript and zmx session manager. Opening a terminal session is an execution-level action that establishes an environment where arbitrary commands can subsequently be run. While the creation itself is not destructive or financial, it enables further high-impact operations and constitutes triggering an external operation (opening Terminal.app).

From the tool's definition Create new zmx session + open Terminal.app

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

Recommended rule Ready

Verdict

create_session Rate-limited

create_session 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": {
    "create_session": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "create_session_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 Poof, so you can run agents against it safely.

FAQ

Questions about create_session

What does the create_session tool do? +

Create new zmx session + open Terminal.app. It is categorised as a Execute tool in the Poof MCP Server, which means it can trigger actions or run processes. Use rate limits and argument validation.

How do I enforce a policy on create_session? +

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

What risk level is create_session? +

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

Can I rate-limit create_session? +

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

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

create_session is provided by the Poof MCP server (mattapperson/poof-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.