# shell_run_background

Start a long-running command as a tracked background process. Returns a processId.

Agent View of the PolicyLayer registry record for `shell_run_background`. HTML page: https://policylayer.com/tools/yuga-hashimoto-localant/shell-run-background

## Facts

- Tool: `shell_run_background`
- Server: LocalAnt (`yuga-hashimoto/localant`) — https://policylayer.com/tools/yuga-hashimoto-localant.md
- Homepage: https://github.com/yuga-hashimoto/localant
- Risk category: Execute (High risk)
- Registry record: grade F, identity unverified
- Server rate-limited: no
- Parameters: 0
- Recommended policy verdict: Rate-limited

## Example call (MCP tools/call, JSON-RPC 2.0)

```json
{
  "jsonrpc": "2.0",
  "id": 1,
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "name": "shell_run_background",
    "arguments": {}
  }
}
```

## Why shell_run_background is rated High

This tool runs shell commands whose side effects depend entirely on what command is passed to it. While not inherently destructive (the agent could run harmless commands), the blast radius is high because background shell execution can modify system state, access credentials, install malware, exfiltrate data, or launch attacks.

From the tool's own definition: "'Start a long-running command as a tracked background process' — this directly executes arbitrary shell commands in the background, with persistent effects determined by the command argument."

## Use case

AI agents invoke shell_run_background to trigger actions in LocalAnt. 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.

## Recommended policy (PolicyLayer)

Verdict: **Rate-limited**. Enforced by the PolicyLayer MCP gateway (https://policylayer.com/mcp-gateway) before a call reaches LocalAnt:

```json
{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "shell_run_background": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "shell_run_background_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 10,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}
```

## Other tools on LocalAnt (215)

- `adb_clear_logcat` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/yuga-hashimoto-localant/adb-clear-logcat.md
- `adb_uninstall` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/yuga-hashimoto-localant/adb-uninstall.md
- `fs_delete_file_with_approval` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/yuga-hashimoto-localant/fs-delete-file-with-approval.md
- `git_reset` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/yuga-hashimoto-localant/git-reset.md
- `git_reset_hard` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/yuga-hashimoto-localant/git-reset-hard.md
- `git_restore_file` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/yuga-hashimoto-localant/git-restore-file.md
- `mcp_server_unregister` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/yuga-hashimoto-localant/mcp-server-unregister.md
- `secret_remove` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/yuga-hashimoto-localant/secret-remove.md
- `shell_remove_allowed_command` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/yuga-hashimoto-localant/shell-remove-allowed-command.md
- `skill_uninstall` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/yuga-hashimoto-localant/skill-uninstall.md
- `adb_input_text` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/yuga-hashimoto-localant/adb-input-text.md
- `adb_install_apk` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/yuga-hashimoto-localant/adb-install-apk.md
- `adb_keyevent` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/yuga-hashimoto-localant/adb-keyevent.md
- `adb_shell` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/yuga-hashimoto-localant/adb-shell.md
- `adb_start_app` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/yuga-hashimoto-localant/adb-start-app.md
- `adb_stop_app` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/yuga-hashimoto-localant/adb-stop-app.md
- `adb_swipe` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/yuga-hashimoto-localant/adb-swipe.md
- `adb_tap` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/yuga-hashimoto-localant/adb-tap.md
- `agent_run` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/yuga-hashimoto-localant/agent-run.md
- `approval_approve` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/yuga-hashimoto-localant/approval-approve.md
- `autopilot` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/yuga-hashimoto-localant/autopilot.md
- `bash` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/yuga-hashimoto-localant/bash.md
- `browser_click` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/yuga-hashimoto-localant/browser-click.md
- `browser_close` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/yuga-hashimoto-localant/browser-close.md
- `browser_evaluate` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/yuga-hashimoto-localant/browser-evaluate.md
- `browser_open` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/yuga-hashimoto-localant/browser-open.md
- `browser_press` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/yuga-hashimoto-localant/browser-press.md
- `browser_scroll` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/yuga-hashimoto-localant/browser-scroll.md
- `browser_select` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/yuga-hashimoto-localant/browser-select.md
- `browser_type` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/yuga-hashimoto-localant/browser-type.md
- …and 185 more: https://policylayer.com/tools/yuga-hashimoto-localant.md

## For agents

This record is a snapshot. Live verdicts and the full registry:

- Check every server in your MCP config at once: `npx -y policylayer stack`
- Vet a server before you add it: install the mcp-precheck skill — `npx skills add https://policylayer.com` (skill text: https://policylayer.com/skill.md)
- Query the registry over MCP: endpoint `https://api.policylayer.com/mcp` — tools `check_mcp_server`, `check_mcp_stack`, `check_tool`, `search_registry`, `get_change_events`

---

Source: the PolicyLayer MCP registry — one continuously verified record per MCP server. Full record: https://policylayer.com/registry?q=yuga-hashimoto-localant · API: https://policylayer.com/registry/api · Policy library: https://policylayer.com/policies/yuga-hashimoto-localant