Type text into the current input field at the cursor position.
AI agents invoke send_keys to trigger actions in Ibmi. What it does depends on the arguments the agent supplies, and its effects often reach beyond the immediate call — builds kicked off, notifications sent, workflows started.
Typing text into a 5250 terminal input field can trigger arbitrary commands, program calls, or system operations depending on what field is active. The effect is entirely context-dependent — it could submit SQL, run CL commands, invoke programs, or modify system configuration.
From the tool's definition 'Type text into the current input field at the cursor position' on a 5250 green-screen terminal connected to IBM i
Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access send_keys gives an agent:
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and Ibmi, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for send_keys:
{
"version": "1",
"default": "deny",
"tools": {
"send_keys": {
"limits": [
{
"counter": "send_keys_rate",
"window": "minute",
"max": 10,
"scope": "grant"
}
]
}
}
}send_keys stays usable, but rate-capped — a runaway agent can't fire it dozens of times a minute. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.
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Type text into the current input field at the cursor position. It is categorised as a Execute tool in the Ibmi MCP Server, which means it can trigger actions or run processes. Use rate limits and argument validation.
Register the Ibmi MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for send_keys: 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 Ibmi. Nothing to install.
send_keys is a Execute tool with high risk. Execute tools should be rate-limited and have argument validation enabled.
Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the send_keys 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 send_keys. 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.
send_keys is provided by the Ibmi MCP server (whitehornltd/ibmi-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Start from Ibmi, add the rest of your stack, and see everything your agents can call. Then put policy on all of it.
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8 Ibmi tools catalogued and risk-classified — across an index of 43,000+ MCP servers.