Enumerate visible X11 windows with @wN refs, titles, pids, geometry, focus.
AI agents call list_windows to retrieve information from Linux Computer Use without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool only retrieves and lists data about currently visible windows. It has no side effects, cannot modify system state, and provides only passive introspection. It aligns with the Read category (retrieves/queries data with no side effects). Severity is low because an agent with access to this tool alone cannot perform harmful actions beyond gathering basic desktop state information.
From the tool's definition Tool description states it 'Enumerate[s] visible X11 windows' — a purely informational query operation that retrieves window metadata (titles, pids, geometry, focus) without modifying or executing anything.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Enumerate visible X11 windows with @wN refs, titles, pids, geometry, focus. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Linux Computer Use MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Linux Computer Use MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for list_windows: 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 Linux Computer Use. Nothing to install.
list_windows 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 list_windows 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 list_windows. 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.
list_windows is provided by the Linux Computer Use MCP server (tak-uukti/linux-computer-use). 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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