Display details about the metadata types that are enabled for your org. The information includes Apex classes and triggers, custom objects, custom fields on standard objects, tab sets that define an app, and many other metadata types. Use this information to identify the syntax needed for a <name...
AI agents call list_metadata_types to retrieve information from Salesforce MCP Server without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool retrieves metadata type information for inspection and identification purposes. It has no side effects—it only reads and displays org metadata configuration. Although it requires elevated permissions (Modify All Data or Modify Metadata Through Metadata API Functions), the action itself is purely informational and read-only.
From the tool's definition Tool 'Display details about the metadata types' and 'Use this information to identify the syntax needed' indicate querying and retrieving metadata information. No modification, deletion, or execution of operations occurs.
Risk signalsBulk/mass operation — affects multiple targets
Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access list_metadata_types gives an agent:
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and Salesforce MCP Server, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for list_metadata_types:
{
"version": "1",
"default": "deny",
"tools": {
"list_metadata_types": {}
}
}list_metadata_types is read-only, so it stays allowed — but everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.
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Display details about the metadata types that are enabled for your org. The information includes Apex classes and triggers, custom objects, custom fields on standard objects, tab sets that define an app, and many other metadata types. Use this information to identify the syntax needed for a <name> element in a manifest file (package.xml). The username that you use to connect to the org must have the Modify All Data or Modify Metadata Through Metadata API Functions permission. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Salesforce MCP Server MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Salesforce MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for list_metadata_types: 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 Salesforce MCP Server. Nothing to install.
list_metadata_types is a Read tool with low risk. Read-only tools are generally safe to allow by default.
Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the list_metadata_types 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 list_metadata_types. 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.
list_metadata_types is provided by the Salesforce MCP Server MCP server (advancedcommunities/salesforce-mcp-server). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Start from Salesforce MCP Server, add the rest of your stack, and see everything your agents can call. Then put policy on all of it.
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41 Salesforce MCP Server tools catalogued and risk-classified — across an index of 43,000+ MCP servers.