list_windows

ServermacOS Simulator MCP Server
CategoryRead

WHAT IT DOES

What list_windows does on macOS Simulator MCP Server

AI agents call list_windows to retrieve information from macOS Simulator MCP Server without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.

THE RISK

Low Risk

Why list_windows needs a policy

This is a non-destructive query operation that reads and surfaces information about the macOS desktop state. It has no side effects and does not execute commands, modify data, or trigger external operations. The blast radius of misuse is minimal—an agent could learn about open applications, but cannot interact with or manipulate them through this tool alone. It serves a necessary discovery function for the simulator.

From the tool's definition Tool 'list_windows' returns data about open windows with titles, positions, and dimensions. No modification, deletion, or code execution occurs. Description explicitly states it 'Enumerate[s]' and 'Returns...JSON array' - pure information retrieval.

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

POLICY

How to control list_windows

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 list_windows:

policy.json

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

list_windows 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 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.

CAP 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 →

Read tools on other servers

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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_windows

What does the list_windows tool do? +

Enumerate all currently open windows across all applications with detailed information including window titles, positions, and dimensions. Essential for discovering available applications and windows before interaction. Returns comprehensive JSON array with each window. It is categorised as a Read tool in the macOS Simulator MCP Server MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.

How do I enforce a policy on list_windows? +

Register the macOS Simulator MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for list_windows: 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 list_windows? +

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

Can I rate-limit list_windows? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the list_windows 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_windows completely? +

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

list_windows 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.