List work items filtered by state (Active, New, Resolved, Closed, etc.) with optional work item type filter.
Part of the Azure Boards MCP server.
Free to start. No card required.
AI agents call query_by_state to retrieve information from Azure Boards MCP without modifying any data. This is common in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows where the agent needs context before taking action. Because read operations don't change state, they are generally safe to allow without restrictions -- but you may still want rate limits to control API costs.
Even though query_by_state only reads data, uncontrolled read access can leak sensitive information or rack up API costs. An agent caught in a retry loop could make thousands of calls per minute. A rate limit gives you a safety net without blocking legitimate use.
Read-only tools are safe to allow by default. No rate limit needed unless you want to control costs.
{
"version": "1",
"default": "deny",
"tools": {
"query_by_state": {}
}
}See the full Azure Boards MCP policy for all 52 tools.
These attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access query_by_state gives an agent. Each links to the full case and the policy that stops it:
Other read tools across the catalogue. The same approach applies to each: allow, with a rate cap to control cost.
List work items filtered by state (Active, New, Resolved, Closed, etc.) with optional work item type filter.. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Azure Boards MCP MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Azure Boards MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for query_by_state: 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 Azure Boards MCP. Nothing to install.
query_by_state 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 query_by_state 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 query_by_state. 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.
query_by_state is provided by the Azure Boards MCP server (azure-board-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Deterministic rules across all 52 Azure Boards MCP tools. Per-identity grants. Full audit log. Live in minutes. Nothing to install.
Free to start. No card required.
4,600+ MCP servers and 31,000+ tools scanned and risk-classified.