In spaceports, are there any kind of electromagnetic docking clamps or otherwise as far as security measures go? A high tech Boot for ships preventing them from taking off?

Between artificial gravity and tractor beans, one might think this would exist. However, it doesn't seem to, not even on the Death Star itself (Han implies they can launch, but without that tractor beam out of commission...).

Is it too against the levers and hydraulics, the 'pulp' of needing action in Star Wars?

Basically, if a spaceport wanted to prevent things like theft, what kinds of things would they do? What options do they have?

(My fallback is to treat it like a ships dock now, where security is your own problem, but I was thinking more like a situation where they might want to detain the ship from leaving)

The Han Solo novels had the Falcon getting 'booted'.

The Han Solo novels had the Falcon getting 'booted'.

Like, with a physical clamp or some kind of magnetic lock system?

Don't recall in the novel but I do recall they were gonna be locked into the landing bay. Could be either or both if you want it to be, point is, yes.

I think most spaceports would limit themselves to tractor beams, which are multi-use. Keep people from leaving by grabbing on their way out, and also to assist landing procedures. A very high end spaceport may have 1 tractor beam per bay, allowing someone to grab a vessel before it takes off.

A low tech solution could be the hydraulic docking clamp, which secures a vessel and ensures it is stable and positioned correctly for hookups. That would be more common on space stations to match airlocks, but any platform could use them, especially if earthquakes or high winds were common.

I could also see a small vehicle being able to approach, attach a claw to a ship, then attach to a nearby support. The actual boot. Have to shoot it off.

Alternatively, go with something akin to a modern bridging vehicle that puts a detachable cover over the vehicle's engine ports. If you try to leave without removing it, massive engine damage from overpressure.

Don't recall in the novel but I do recall they were gonna be locked into the landing bay. Could be either or both if you want it to be, point is, yes.

It's been years since I read that; but on the off chance that my memory is correct, I believe they just put a big lock on the door to the hangar so that they couldn't even get to it.

And to the original topic, that's exactly how I make spaceports more secure in my campaign. Lockable doors.

In the Star Wars: Rebels episode "A Princess on Lothal", they had magnetic boot-like clamps attached to the hammer-head captial ships to keep them grounded. Watch the episode for a good idea on what they look like, and how they get deactivated.

Yah, I reread it just now. Impound locks on the doors so they couldn't enter the bay. Narratively anything goes. A dust storm comes along on Tatooine I'd probably like to be able to button up my landing bay so I don't have to sweep sand out of everything. Same goes for planet stormcloud and not wanting to be mopping constantly. It makes perfect sense for portmasters to be able to impound ships for non payment of fees, or because the gubmint slaps a lien or seizes it for some other reason, etc.

The YT-1300 in the beginner box for EotE was clamped to the bay. I don't recall if the adventure ever explained why.

Alright cool, thanks. My EotE party includes a jedi with lightsaber, so a physical clamp wasn't the solution.... but I think giant doors over the bay should suffice. I was trying to have a more high tech solution, but didn't know about setting precedent. My players.... sheesh.

From memory, in KotOR there's an instance of a docking bay with a large forcefield covering the top of it which has to be disabled, if you want a fancier option than mechanical doors.