Set the timeline selection (in/out points) for editing operations. Times can be in samples, timecode, or other formats.
AI agents use set_timeline_selection to create or update resources in Pro Tools MCP Server — usually the action step of a workflow, after the agent has gathered context. Every call changes real data in your Pro Tools MCP Server environment.
This tool modifies session state by setting timeline selection parameters, making it a Write operation rather than Read. It's not Execute because it doesn't directly perform external operations or run commands—it configures editing parameters. It's not Destructive because timeline selections are reversible and don't delete or permanently alter content.
From the tool's definition set_timeline_selection sets timeline in/out points, which modifies the state of the Pro Tools session. The description indicates this is a preparatory action for 'editing operations', meaning it configures parameters that affect subsequent actions.
Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access set_timeline_selection gives an agent:
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and Pro Tools MCP Server, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for set_timeline_selection:
{
"version": "1",
"default": "deny",
"tools": {
"set_timeline_selection": {
"limits": [
{
"counter": "set_timeline_selection_rate",
"window": "minute",
"max": 30,
"scope": "grant"
}
]
}
}
}set_timeline_selection stays usable, but capped — an agent stuck in a loop can't make hundreds of changes a minute. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.
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Set the timeline selection (in/out points) for editing operations. Times can be in samples, timecode, or other formats. It is categorised as a Write tool in the Pro Tools MCP Server MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.
Register the Pro Tools MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for set_timeline_selection: 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 Pro Tools MCP Server. Nothing to install.
set_timeline_selection is a Write tool with medium risk. Write tools should be rate-limited to prevent accidental bulk modifications.
Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the set_timeline_selection 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 set_timeline_selection. 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.
set_timeline_selection is provided by the Pro Tools MCP Server MCP server (skrul/protools-mcp-server). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Start from Pro Tools MCP Server, add the rest of your stack, and see everything your agents can call. Then put policy on all of it.
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36 Pro Tools MCP Server tools catalogued and risk-classified — across an index of 43,000+ MCP servers.