measure_distance
Measure the distance between two points or two GameObjects. Provide a/b as {x,y,z} or idA/idB as GUIDs. Returns straight-line distance, horizontal (ground) distance, and the delta vector. Read-only (works during play).
This record as markdown: /tools/sbox/measure-distance.md
What measure_distance does on Sbox
AI agents call measure_distance 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 measure_distance is rated Low
This is a measurement/query operation that retrieves geometric information about GameObjects without side effects. No data is created, modified, deleted, or executed. The explicit "Read-only" designation confirms this belongs in the Read category with low severity.
From the tool's definition Tool description explicitly states "Read-only (works during play)" and measures distance between points/objects without modifying any data or triggering external operations. Returns distance metrics and delta vector only.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
The rule that runs measure_distance 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 measure_distance, this is the rule to start with:
measure_distance 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 measure_distance call is checked against it from then on.
Questions about measure_distance
Measure the distance between two points or two GameObjects. Provide a/b as {x,y,z} or idA/idB as GUIDs. Returns straight-line distance, horizontal (ground) distance, and the delta vector. Read-only (works during play). 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 measure_distance: 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.
measure_distance 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 measure_distance 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 measure_distance. 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.
measure_distance 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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