Capture the visible content of a tmux pane. Returns the text currently displayed in the pane.
AI agents call tmux_capture_pane to retrieve information from Tmux MCP Server without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool only reads and returns the current visible output of a tmux pane. It has no side effects — it does not send commands, modify state, or trigger any operations. It is purely a read/capture operation.
From the tool's definition Capture the visible content of a tmux pane. Returns the text currently displayed in the pane.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Capture the visible content of a tmux pane. Returns the text currently displayed in the pane. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Tmux MCP Server MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Tmux MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for tmux_capture_pane: 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 Tmux MCP Server. Nothing to install.
tmux_capture_pane 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 tmux_capture_pane 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 tmux_capture_pane. 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.
tmux_capture_pane is provided by the Tmux MCP Server MCP server (mediocretriumph/tmux-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
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