High Risk →

terminal_wait

Wait for a pattern to appear in terminal output.

Part of the Terminal server.

terminal_wait can trigger actions in Terminal, with no limits today. PolicyLayer puts allow, deny, and rate-limit rules on every call. Live in minutes.

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AI agents invoke terminal_wait to trigger processes or run actions in Terminal. Execute operations can have side effects beyond the immediate call -- triggering builds, sending notifications, or starting workflows. Rate limits and argument validation are essential to prevent runaway execution.

terminal_wait can trigger processes with real-world consequences. An uncontrolled agent might start dozens of builds, send mass notifications, or kick off expensive compute jobs. PolicyLayer enforces rate limits and validates arguments to keep execution within safe bounds.

Execute tools trigger processes. Rate-limit and validate arguments to prevent unintended side effects.

policy.json
{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "terminal_wait": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "terminal_wait_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 10,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

See the full Terminal policy for all 15 tools.

Get this rule live on your own Terminal server in minutes. PolicyLayer enforces it on every call, before it runs.

ENFORCE ON MY TERMINAL →

View all 15 tools →

These attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access terminal_wait gives an agent. Each links to the full case and the policy that stops it:

Browse the full MCP Attack Database →

Every attack above starts with a tool call. PolicyLayer checks each one against your policy first, so terminal_wait only ever does what you allow.

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Other execute tools across the catalogue. The same approach applies to each: rate-limit and validate the arguments.

What does the terminal_wait tool do? +

Wait for a pattern to appear in terminal output.. It is categorised as a Execute tool in the Terminal MCP Server, which means it can trigger actions or run processes. Use rate limits and argument validation.

How do I enforce a policy on terminal_wait? +

Register the Terminal MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for terminal_wait: 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 Terminal. Nothing to install.

What risk level is terminal_wait? +

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

Can I rate-limit terminal_wait? +

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

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

terminal_wait is provided by the Terminal MCP server (pungggi/smart-terminal). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every Terminal tool call.

Deterministic rules across all 15 Terminal tools. Per-identity grants. Full audit log. Live in minutes. Nothing to install.

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4,600+ MCP servers and 31,000+ tools scanned and risk-classified.

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