This record as markdown: /tools/sbox/is-playing.md
What is_playing does on Sbox
AI agents call is_playing to retrieve information from Sbox without modifying anything. It is typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
Why is_playing is rated Low
This tool performs a read-only check of the game engine's play state, returning status information. It has no capability to modify game state, execute commands, or cause destructive changes. The minimal blast radius and informational nature place it firmly in the Read category with low severity.
From the tool's definition Tool name 'is_playing' and description 'Check current play state — returns' indicate a query operation that retrieves state information without modification or side effects.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
The rule that runs is_playing safely
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: it sits between your AI agents and Sbox, and checks every tool call against a rule you set before the call runs. Nothing changes on the server itself. For is_playing, this is the rule to start with:
is_playing is read-only, so it stays allowed. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.
The button opens the PolicyLayer dashboard: create your workspace, connect Sbox, apply this rule, and every is_playing call is checked against it from then on.
Questions about is_playing
Check current play state — returns. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Sbox MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Sbox MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for is_playing: 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 Sbox. Nothing to install.
is_playing 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 is_playing 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 is_playing. 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.
is_playing is provided by the Sbox MCP server (sbox-mcp-server). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
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