Get the name, bundle ID, PID, window title, and bounds of the currently active (frontmost) application. Returns JSON with app name, bundleId, pid, window title, and bounds {x, y, width, height} when available.
AI agents call get_frontmost_app to retrieve information from MacWright without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool performs passive information gathering about the active application state. It has no side effects, does not execute code or commands, does not modify system state, and does not involve financial transactions. The blast radius of misuse is minimal—an agent could learn about the user's active application, but cannot take action through this tool alone.
From the tool's definition Tool 'get_frontmost_app' retrieves application metadata (name, bundle ID, PID, window title, bounds) without modifying or executing any actions. The description explicitly states it 'returns JSON' with this information, indicating a read-only query operation.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Get the name, bundle ID, PID, window title, and bounds of the currently active (frontmost) application. Returns JSON with app name, bundleId, pid, window title, and bounds {x, y, width, height} when available. It is categorised as a Read tool in the MacWright MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the MacWright MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for get_frontmost_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 MacWright. Nothing to install.
get_frontmost_app is a Read tool with low risk. Read-only tools are generally safe to allow by default.
Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the get_frontmost_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.
Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for get_frontmost_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.
get_frontmost_app is provided by the MacWright MCP server (ruchit-p/macwright). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Every MCP server has a record like this.
Type a name, get the same breakdown: verified identity, auth posture, risk grade, capabilities, recommended policy.
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