obsidian_focus_app · Mcp Apple Obsidian MCP: Risk & Policy

WHAT IT DOES

What obsidian_focus_app does on Mcp Apple Obsidian

AI agents invoke obsidian_focus_app to trigger actions in Mcp Apple Obsidian. 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.

WHY IT NEEDS A POLICY

Why obsidian_focus_app needs a policy

This tool triggers an external application action — activating/focusing the Obsidian app via AppleScript. It doesn't read or write data, but it does execute an OS-level operation to bring a window to the foreground. The blast radius is very low as it only affects window focus state.

From the tool's definition Bring Obsidian to the foreground (activate it)

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

Recommended rule Ready

Verdict

obsidian_focus_app Rate-limited

obsidian_focus_app 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.

View as policy code

policy.json

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

RATE-LIMIT THIS TOOL →

Instant setup, no code required.

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

FAQ

Questions about obsidian_focus_app

What does the obsidian_focus_app tool do? +

Bring Obsidian to the foreground (activate it). It is categorised as a Execute tool in the Mcp Apple Obsidian MCP Server, which means it can trigger actions or run processes. Use rate limits and argument validation.

How do I enforce a policy on obsidian_focus_app? +

Register the Mcp Apple Obsidian MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for obsidian_focus_app: 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 Mcp Apple Obsidian. Nothing to install.

What risk level is obsidian_focus_app? +

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

Can I rate-limit obsidian_focus_app? +

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

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

obsidian_focus_app is provided by the Mcp Apple Obsidian MCP server (rex/mcp-apple-obsidian). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.