gmail_list_messages

List Gmail messages with optional search query.

SERVERGmail MCP Server SOURCEampcome-mcps/gmail-mcp

Low RISK CLASS

Category Read

Parameters 00 required

Recommended Allowedsee the rule below

Registry record Grade F, identity unverified Pull the record →

This record as markdown: /tools/ampcome-mcps-gmail-mcp/gmail-list-messages.md

WHAT IT DOES

What gmail_list_messages does on Gmail MCP Server

AI agents call gmail_list_messages to retrieve information from Gmail MCP Server without modifying anything. It is typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.

RISK

Why gmail_list_messages is rated Low

This tool retrieves and queries existing Gmail messages without creating, modifying, or deleting any data. It is classified as Read. Severity is medium because unauthorized access to email contents could expose sensitive personal, financial, or business information, though the tool itself performs no destructive or irreversible actions.

From the tool's definition Tool name 'gmail_list_messages' and description 'List Gmail messages with optional search query' indicate retrieval of email data without modification.

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

RECOMMENDED RULE

The rule that runs gmail_list_messages safely

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

gmail_list_messages Allowed

gmail_list_messages is read-only, so it stays allowed. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

View as policy code

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "gmail_list_messages": {}
  }
}

ALLOW ONLY THIS TOOL → Instant setup, no code required.

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

FAQ

Questions about gmail_list_messages

What does the gmail_list_messages tool do? +

List Gmail messages with optional search query. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Gmail MCP Server MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.

How do I enforce a policy on gmail_list_messages? +

Register the Gmail MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for gmail_list_messages: 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 Gmail MCP Server. Nothing to install.

What risk level is gmail_list_messages? +

gmail_list_messages is a Read tool with low risk. Read-only tools are generally safe to allow by default.

Can I rate-limit gmail_list_messages? +

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

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

gmail_list_messages is provided by the Gmail MCP Server MCP server (ampcome-mcps/gmail-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

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