ask_data

Answer questions about your data using natural language

SERVERMetabase MCP SOURCE1luvc0d3/metabase-mcp

High RISK CLASS

Category Execute

Parameters 00 required

Recommended Rate-limitedsee the rule below

Registry record Grade F, identity unverified Pull the record →

This record as markdown: /tools/1luvc0d3-metabase-mcp/ask-data.md

WHAT IT DOES

What ask_data does on Metabase MCP

AI agents invoke ask_data to trigger actions in Metabase MCP. 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.

RISK

Why ask_data is rated High

While the name sounds benign, a natural language interface that answers questions about data must execute queries under the hood. Given the sibling tools include 'execute_query' and 'batch_execute', this tool likely runs dynamically generated queries against the database.

From the tool's definition 'Answer questions about your data using natural language' — this tool translates natural language into queries and executes them against the data source, similar to the sibling tool 'execute_query'.

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

RECOMMENDED RULE

The rule that runs ask_data safely

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: it sits between your AI agents and Metabase MCP, and checks every tool call against a rule you set before the call runs. Nothing changes on the server itself. For ask_data, this is the rule to start with:

ask_data Rate-limited

ask_data 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.

View as policy code

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "ask_data": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "ask_data_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 10,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

RATE-LIMIT THIS TOOL → Instant setup, no code required.

The button opens the PolicyLayer dashboard: create your workspace, connect Metabase MCP, apply this rule, and every ask_data call is checked against it from then on.

FAQ

Questions about ask_data

What does the ask_data tool do? +

Answer questions about your data using natural language. It is categorised as a Execute tool in the Metabase MCP MCP Server, which means it can trigger actions or run processes. Use rate limits and argument validation.

How do I enforce a policy on ask_data? +

Register the Metabase MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for ask_data: 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 Metabase MCP. Nothing to install.

What risk level is ask_data? +

ask_data is a Execute tool with high risk. Execute tools should be rate-limited and have argument validation enabled.

Can I rate-limit ask_data? +

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

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

ask_data is provided by the Metabase MCP server (1luvc0d3/metabase-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

KEEP EXPLORING

More on Metabase, and thousands of servers like it.

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Guides

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