navigate_system_pref · MacWright MCP: Risk & Policy

WHAT IT DOES

What navigate_system_pref does on MacWright

AI agents invoke navigate_system_pref to trigger actions in MacWright. 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 navigate_system_pref needs a policy

This tool executes a system operation (opening/navigating System Settings) that can trigger macOS behaviors and potentially access sensitive system configuration areas depending on the section parameter. The blast radius is high because an AI agent could navigate to Settings sections that expose sensitive data (privacy, security, accounts, notifications) or enable settings changes.

From the tool's definition Tool 'opens' and 'navigates' System Settings sections, triggering macOS system operations with side effects that depend on which section argument is provided.

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

Recommended rule Ready

Verdict

navigate_system_pref Rate-limited

navigate_system_pref 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": {
    "navigate_system_pref": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "navigate_system_pref_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 MacWright, so you can run agents against it safely.

FAQ

Questions about navigate_system_pref

What does the navigate_system_pref tool do? +

Open a specific section of macOS System Settings by name. It is categorised as a Execute tool in the MacWright MCP Server, which means it can trigger actions or run processes. Use rate limits and argument validation.

How do I enforce a policy on navigate_system_pref? +

Register the MacWright MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for navigate_system_pref: 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.

What risk level is navigate_system_pref? +

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

Can I rate-limit navigate_system_pref? +

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

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

navigate_system_pref 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.