dbg_variables

List variables under a scope or a complex value (via its variables_ref). Requires a stop (not_stopped) — a reference is only valid within the stop that issued it.

SERVERBreakpoint SOURCEbreakpoint-mcp

Low RISK CLASS

Category Read

Parameters 11 required

Recommended Allowedsee the rule below

Registry record Grade F, identity unverified Pull the record →

This record as markdown: /tools/breakpoint-mcp/dbg-variables.md

WHAT IT DOES

What dbg_variables does on Breakpoint

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

Parameter	Type	Required	Description
`variables_ref`	integer	Yes	variablesReference from dbg_scopes or a parent variable

Parameters from the server's own tool schema.

RISK

Why dbg_variables is rated Low

Even though dbg_variables only reads data, uncontrolled read access leaks sensitive information and racks up API costs: an agent caught in a retry loop can make thousands of calls a minute without anyone noticing.

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

RECOMMENDED RULE

The rule that runs dbg_variables safely

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

dbg_variables Allowed

dbg_variables 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": {
    "dbg_variables": {}
  }
}

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

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

FAQ

Questions about dbg_variables

What does the dbg_variables tool do? +

List variables under a scope or a complex value (via its variables_ref). Requires a stop (not_stopped) — a reference is only valid within the stop that issued it. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Breakpoint MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.

What parameters does dbg_variables accept? +

dbg_variables accepts 1 parameter: variables_ref. Required: variables_ref. The full parameter table on this page comes from the server's own tool schema.

How do I enforce a policy on dbg_variables? +

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

What risk level is dbg_variables? +

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

Can I rate-limit dbg_variables? +

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

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

dbg_variables is provided by the Breakpoint MCP server (breakpoint-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

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