// MCP TOOL REFERENCE

key_press

ServermacOS Simulator MCP Server
CategoryExecute

WHAT IT DOES

What key_press does on macOS Simulator MCP Server

AI agents invoke key_press to trigger actions in macOS Simulator MCP Server. 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.

THE RISK

High Risk

Why key_press needs a policy

This tool sends keyboard input to macOS applications, triggering arbitrary actions depending on the active application and keys pressed. It can execute system commands, trigger application workflows, delete data (e.g., Cmd+Delete), or perform destructive operations via shortcuts.

From the tool's definition Execute keyboard shortcuts and special key combinations... Supports single keys (Enter, Escape, Tab, Arrow keys) and modifier combinations (Cmd+C, Cmd+A, Ctrl+Alt+key).

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

POLICY

How to control key_press

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

policy.json

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

key_press 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.

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

RATE-LIMIT THIS TOOL →

Free to start. No card required.

EXPLORE

Related tools and policies

More macOS Simulator MCP Server tools

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All 28 macOS Simulator MCP Server tools →

Execute tools on other servers

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Go deeper

High-risk tools in macOS Simulator MCP Server → Every high-risk tool this server exposes, in one view.
All high-risk MCP tools → Every high-risk tool across the catalogue, and the policy pattern that contains them.
The MCP Attack Database → Documented attack patterns against MCP deployments — and the policies that stop them.
Agent sandbox → Bounding what an agent can execute and where the boundary should sit.
Least privilege for MCP → Granting agents the minimum tool surface the task needs.
Rate Limiting MCP Tool Calls: A Practical Guide →
MCP Security: Why Prompt Guardrails Aren't Enough →

FAQ

Questions about key_press

What does the key_press tool do? +

Execute keyboard shortcuts and special key combinations essential for system navigation and application control. Supports single keys (Enter, Escape, Tab, Arrow keys) and modifier combinations (Cmd+C, Cmd+A, Ctrl+Alt+key). Use for shortcuts, navigation, window management, and triggering application-specific commands. Examples:. It is categorised as a Execute tool in the macOS Simulator MCP Server MCP Server, which means it can trigger actions or run processes. Use rate limits and argument validation.

How do I enforce a policy on key_press? +

Register the macOS Simulator MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for key_press: 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 macOS Simulator MCP Server. Nothing to install.

What risk level is key_press? +

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

Can I rate-limit key_press? +

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

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

key_press is provided by the macOS Simulator MCP Server MCP server (ohqay/mac-commander). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every macOS Simulator MCP Server tool call.

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

CHECK YOUR STACK →

Free to start. No card required.

28 macOS Simulator MCP Server tools catalogued and risk-classified — across an index of 43,000+ MCP servers.