// MCP TOOL REFERENCE

vm_destroy

ServerTaw Computer
CategoryDestructive

WHAT IT DOES

What vm_destroy does on Taw Computer

AI agents call vm_destroy to permanently remove resources in Taw Computer — typically in cleanup and lifecycle workflows. It does its job in a single call, and there is no undo.

THE RISK

Critical Risk

Why vm_destroy needs a policy

This tool permanently destroys virtual machine instances and optionally deletes saved snapshots, which cannot be undone. While the destruction is scoped to the sandbox environment rather than production systems, the irreversible nature of the action and potential loss of work/data within the VM warrants the Destructive category.

From the tool's definition Tool description states 'Destroy a sandbox' and 'delete any previously saved snapshot'. The save_snapshot parameter controls whether data is 'destroyed without saving'. These terms explicitly indicate irreversible deletion of VM state and persisted data.

Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access vm_destroy gives an agent:

POLICY

How to control vm_destroy

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and Taw Computer, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for vm_destroy:

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "hide": [
    "vm_destroy"
  ]
}

vm_destroy disappears from the agent's tool list entirely, and any attempt to call it is denied. The rest of the server keeps working.

Create a free account and register Taw Computer — nothing to install.
Add this policy — paste it, or build it visually.
Point your MCP client (Claude, Cursor, anything) at your gateway URL.

RESTRICT THIS TOOL →

Free to start. No card required.

EXPLORE

Related tools and policies

More Taw Computer tools

Destructive vm_reset Reset a VM to a clean state. Destroys the current VM AND deletes its saved snapshot, so th Destructive snapshot_delete Delete a saved snapshot by label. This frees disk space and means the next vm_create with Destructive browser_close Kill all Chrome processes inside the sandbox. Execute browser_eval Run a JavaScript expression in the page context and return the result. Execute browser_navigate Navigate the sandbox Chrome to a URL via CDP (Playwright). Returns final URL and page titl Execute browser_run_test Run a Playwright test script against the browser inside a VM. Has Execute browser_wait_for Wait until a condition holds (selector visible, text appears, or network idle). Execute exec Run a shell command inside the sandbox. Returns combined stdout+stderr. Use for any CLI wo

All 36 Taw Computer tools →

Destructive tools on other servers

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Go deeper

Critical-risk tools in Taw Computer → Every critical-risk tool this server exposes, in one view.
All critical-risk MCP tools → Every critical-risk tool across the catalogue, and the policy pattern that contains them.
The MCP Attack Database → Documented attack patterns against MCP deployments — and the policies that stop them.
Blast radius → How much damage one compromised or confused agent can do — and how to bound it.
Tool call approval → Approval gates on individual tool calls: auto-allow, prompt, or deny.
Rate Limiting MCP Tool Calls: A Practical Guide →
MCP Security: Why Prompt Guardrails Aren't Enough →

FAQ

Questions about vm_destroy

What does the vm_destroy tool do? +

Destroy a sandbox and free its ports. By default the VM filesystem is saved as a snapshot so recreating with the same label resumes where you left off. Set save_snapshot to false to destroy without saving (e.g. when the VM contains sensitive data the user does not want persisted). Use vm_reset to also delete any previously saved snapshot. It is categorised as a Destructive tool in the Taw Computer MCP Server, which means it can permanently delete or destroy data. Block by default and require explicit approval.

How do I enforce a policy on vm_destroy? +

Register the Taw Computer MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for vm_destroy: 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 Taw Computer. Nothing to install.

What risk level is vm_destroy? +

vm_destroy is a Destructive tool with critical risk. Critical-risk tools should be blocked by default and only enabled with explicit human approval.

Can I rate-limit vm_destroy? +

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

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

vm_destroy is provided by the Taw Computer MCP server (tawgroup/taw-computer). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every Taw Computer tool call.

Start from Taw Computer, add the rest of your stack, and see everything your agents can call. Then put policy on all of it.

CHECK YOUR STACK →

Free to start. No card required.

36 Taw Computer tools catalogued and risk-classified — across an index of 43,000+ MCP servers.