# run_stream

Starts an already created stream, specified by the provided resource 'name' parameter. Parameters * 'name': The resource name of the stream to start. * 'name' should be in the format of: 'projects/{project name}/locations/{location}/streams/{stream name}', for example: 'projects/my-project/locations/us-central1/streams/my-streams'. * 'force': Whether to run the stream without running prior configuration verification. The default is 'false'. Returns * This tool returns a long-running operation. Use the 'get_operation' tool with the returned operation name to poll its status until it completes. Operation may take several minutes; do not check more often than every ten seconds.

Agent View of the PolicyLayer registry record for `run_stream`. HTML page: https://policylayer.com/tools/com-googleapis-datastream-mcp/run-stream

## Facts

- Tool: `run_stream`
- Server: Mcp (`https://datastream.googleapis.com/mcp`) — https://policylayer.com/tools/com-googleapis-datastream-mcp.md
- Homepage: https://github.com/https://datastream.googleapis.com/mcp
- Risk category: Execute (High risk)
- Registry record: grade F, identity unverified
- Server auth posture: open
- Server rate-limited: no
- Parameters: 3 (1 required)
- Recommended policy verdict: Rate-limited

## Parameters

| Parameter | Type | Required | Description |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `name` | string | yes | Required. Name of the stream resource to start, in the format: projects/{project_id}/locations/{location}/streams/{stream_name} |
| `force` | boolean | no | Optional. Update the stream without validating it. |
| `cdcStrategy` | object | no | Optional. The CDC strategy of the stream. If not set, the system's default value will be used. |

Parameters from the server's own tool schema.

## Example call (MCP tools/call, JSON-RPC 2.0)

```json
{
  "jsonrpc": "2.0",
  "id": 1,
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "name": "run_stream",
    "arguments": {
      "name": "<name>"
    }
  }
}
```

## Why run_stream is rated High

This tool triggers an external operation (Google Cloud Datastream activation) whose effects depend on arguments and configuration state. While not immediately destructive, starting a stream can cause continuous data movement/replication which consumes resources, incurs costs, and may propagate data to downstream systems. The 'force' flag that bypasses verification increases risk.

From the tool's own definition: "Tool 'starts an already created stream' with a 'force' parameter to bypass configuration verification. Initiates a long-running operation that activates data streaming infrastructure."

Risk signals: Bulk/mass operation — affects multiple targets

## Use case

AI agents invoke run_stream to trigger actions in 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.

## Recommended policy (PolicyLayer)

Verdict: **Rate-limited**. Enforced by the PolicyLayer MCP gateway (https://policylayer.com/mcp-gateway) before a call reaches Mcp:

```json
{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "run_stream": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "run_stream_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 10,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}
```

## Other tools on Mcp (9)

- `delete_stream` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/com-googleapis-datastream-mcp/delete-stream.md
- `get_operation` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/com-googleapis-datastream-mcp/get-operation.md
- `get_stream` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/com-googleapis-datastream-mcp/get-stream.md
- `get_stream_object` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/com-googleapis-datastream-mcp/get-stream-object.md
- `list_connection_profiles` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/com-googleapis-datastream-mcp/list-connection-profiles.md
- `list_static_ips` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/com-googleapis-datastream-mcp/list-static-ips.md
- `list_stream_objects` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/com-googleapis-datastream-mcp/list-stream-objects.md
- `list_streams` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/com-googleapis-datastream-mcp/list-streams.md
- `lookup_stream_object` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/com-googleapis-datastream-mcp/lookup-stream-object.md

## For agents

This record is a snapshot. Live verdicts and the full registry:

- Check every server in your MCP config at once: `npx -y policylayer stack`
- Vet a server before you add it: install the mcp-precheck skill — `npx skills add https://policylayer.com` (skill text: https://policylayer.com/skill.md)
- Query the registry over MCP: endpoint `https://api.policylayer.com/mcp` — tools `check_mcp_server`, `check_mcp_stack`, `check_tool`, `search_registry`, `get_change_events`

---

Source: the PolicyLayer MCP registry — one continuously verified record per MCP server. Full record: https://policylayer.com/registry?q=com-googleapis-datastream-mcp · API: https://policylayer.com/registry/api · Policy library: https://policylayer.com/policies/com-googleapis-datastream-mcp