list_running_applications

THE RISK

Low Risk

Why list_running_applications needs a policy

This tool retrieves information about running processes on macOS. It performs no modifications, deletions, or external operations. While the information could theoretically be used for reconnaissance, the tool itself is a read-only query with minimal blast radius if misused by an AI agent. It does not execute code, make financial transactions, or irreversibly modify system state.

From the tool's definition Tool name is 'list_running_applications' and description states it 'List all currently running applications with basic info' — a query operation with no side effects.

Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access list_running_applications gives an agent:

POLICY

How to control list_running_applications

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and Playwright MCP for macOS, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for list_running_applications:

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "list_running_applications": {}
  }
}

list_running_applications is read-only, so it stays allowed — but everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

Create a free account and register Playwright MCP for macOS — nothing to install.
Add this policy — paste it, or build it visually.
Point your MCP client (Claude, Cursor, anything) at your gateway URL.

CAP THIS TOOL →

Free to start. No card required.

EXPLORE

Related tools and policies

More Playwright MCP for macOS tools

Execute click_at_position Click at a specific screen position using coordinates. Execute click_element_by_selector Click a UI element using accessibility actions (AXPress) via JSONPath selector. Write type_text_to_element_by_selector Type text into a UI element using JSONPath selector. Read check_accessibility_permissions Check if accessibility permissions are properly configured. Read find_elements Find UI elements matching a JSONPath selector. Read find_elements_in_app find_elements_in_app Read get_app_overview Get a quick overview of all running applications with shallow UI inspection. Read get_element_details Get detailed information about a specific UI element.

All 9 Playwright MCP for macOS tools →

Read tools on other servers

M-Team MCP Server get_torrent_detail YouTube MCP Server search_channel Android Forensics ADB MCP Server parse_browser_history 0xarchive web3_challenge

Go deeper

The MCP Attack Database → Documented attack patterns against MCP deployments — and the policies that stop them.
Data exfiltration → How read access becomes an exfiltration channel when chained with untrusted content.
MCP token cost → What connecting this server costs in context-window tokens on every request.
Rate Limiting MCP Tool Calls: A Practical Guide →
MCP Security: Why Prompt Guardrails Aren't Enough →

FAQ

Questions about list_running_applications

What does the list_running_applications tool do? +

List all currently running applications with basic info. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Playwright MCP for macOS MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.

How do I enforce a policy on list_running_applications? +

Register the Playwright MCP for macOS MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for list_running_applications: 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 Playwright MCP for macOS. Nothing to install.

What risk level is list_running_applications? +

list_running_applications is a Read tool with low risk. Read-only tools are generally safe to allow by default.

Can I rate-limit list_running_applications? +

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

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

list_running_applications is provided by the Playwright MCP for macOS MCP server (mb-dev/macos-ui-automation-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every Playwright MCP for macOS tool call.

Start from Playwright MCP for macOS, add the rest of your stack, and see everything your agents can call. Then put policy on all of it.

CHECK YOUR STACK →