select_file · Apple Notifier MCP: Risk & Policy

WHAT IT DOES

What select_file does on Apple Notifier

AI agents use select_file to create or update resources in Apple Notifier — usually the action step of a workflow, after the agent has gathered context. Every call changes real data in your Apple Notifier environment.

WHY IT NEEDS A POLICY

Why select_file needs a policy

An AI agent can call select_file faster than any human can review — one bad instruction and it creates or modifies resources in Apple Notifier by the hundred, each call as confident as the last.

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

Recommended rule Ready

Verdict

select_file Rate-limited

select_file stays usable, but capped — an agent stuck in a loop can't make hundreds of changes a minute. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

View as policy code

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "select_file": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "select_file_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 30,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

LIMIT THIS TOOL →

Instant setup, no code required.

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: every tool call is checked against your rule before it reaches Apple Notifier, so you can run agents against it safely.

FAQ

Questions about select_file

What does the select_file tool do? +

Open native file picker dialog. It is categorised as a Write tool in the Apple Notifier MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.

How do I enforce a policy on select_file? +

Register the Apple Notifier MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for select_file: 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 Apple Notifier. Nothing to install.

What risk level is select_file? +

select_file is a Write tool with medium risk. Write tools should be rate-limited to prevent accidental bulk modifications.

Can I rate-limit select_file? +

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

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

select_file is provided by the Apple Notifier MCP server (piatra-automation/apple-notifier-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.