# fetch_checks

A read tool on the ComplianceCow MCP Server MCP server.

Agent View of the PolicyLayer registry record for `fetch_checks`. HTML page: https://policylayer.com/tools/compliancecow-cow-mcp/fetch-checks

## Facts

- Tool: `fetch_checks`
- Server: ComplianceCow MCP Server (`compliancecow/cow-mcp`) — https://policylayer.com/tools/compliancecow-cow-mcp.md
- Homepage: https://github.com/ComplianceCow/cow-mcp
- Risk category: Read (Low risk)
- Registry record: grade F, identity unverified
- Server rate-limited: no
- Parameters: 0
- Recommended policy verdict: Allowed

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

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

## Why fetch_checks is rated Low

The 'fetch_' prefix strongly suggests a read-only query operation that retrieves compliance check data without side effects. While the description is empty for this specific tool, context from the server's stated purpose (retrieval of compliance data) and sibling tools (which include write operations like 'add_' and 'assign_') indicates this is a data retrieval function.

From the tool's own definition: "Tool name 'fetch_checks' indicates a retrieval operation ('fetch'). Server description confirms it 'retrieve[s] compliance insights, dashboard data, and auditable evidence through a Compliance Graph.' No indication of modifications, deletions, or irreversible…"

## Use case

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

## Recommended policy (PolicyLayer)

Verdict: **Allowed**. Enforced by the PolicyLayer MCP gateway (https://policylayer.com/mcp-gateway) before a call reaches ComplianceCow MCP Server:

```json
{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "fetch_checks": {}
  }
}
```

## Other tools on ComplianceCow MCP Server (208)

- `delete_asset_schedule` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/compliancecow-cow-mcp/delete-asset-schedule.md
- `create_sql_query_evidence` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/compliancecow-cow-mcp/create-sql-query-evidence.md
- `execute_action` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/compliancecow-cow-mcp/execute-action.md
- `execute_cypher_query` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/compliancecow-cow-mcp/execute-cypher-query.md
- `execute_rule` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/compliancecow-cow-mcp/execute-rule.md
- `execute_shell_command` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/compliancecow-cow-mcp/execute-shell-command.md
- `execute_task` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/compliancecow-cow-mcp/execute-task.md
- `prepare_applications_for_execution` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/compliancecow-cow-mcp/prepare-applications-for-execution.md
- `run_metrics_assessment` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/compliancecow-cow-mcp/run-metrics-assessment.md
- `schedule_asset_execution` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/compliancecow-cow-mcp/schedule-asset-execution.md
- `trigger_workflow` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/compliancecow-cow-mcp/trigger-workflow.md
- `validate_sql_query` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/compliancecow-cow-mcp/validate-sql-query.md
- `validate_sql_query_and_cel` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/compliancecow-cow-mcp/validate-sql-query-and-cel.md
- `collect_parameter_input` — Other — https://policylayer.com/tools/compliancecow-cow-mcp/collect-parameter-input.md
- `confirm_parameter_input` — Other — https://policylayer.com/tools/compliancecow-cow-mcp/confirm-parameter-input.md
- `confirm_template_input` — Other — https://policylayer.com/tools/compliancecow-cow-mcp/confirm-template-input.md
- `create_metric_sql_query_evidence` — Other — https://policylayer.com/tools/compliancecow-cow-mcp/create-metric-sql-query-evidence.md
- `create_workflow_custom_event` — Other — https://policylayer.com/tools/compliancecow-cow-mcp/create-workflow-custom-event.md
- `generate_design_notes_preview` — Other — https://policylayer.com/tools/compliancecow-cow-mcp/generate-design-notes-preview.md
- `generate_rule_readme_preview` — Other — https://policylayer.com/tools/compliancecow-cow-mcp/generate-rule-readme-preview.md
- `modify_workflow` — Other — https://policylayer.com/tools/compliancecow-cow-mcp/modify-workflow.md
- `publish_application` — Other — https://policylayer.com/tools/compliancecow-cow-mcp/publish-application.md
- `audit_fetch_assessment_run_details` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/compliancecow-cow-mcp/audit-fetch-assessment-run-details.md
- `audit_fetch_assessment_run_leaf_control_evidence` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/compliancecow-cow-mcp/audit-fetch-assessment-run-leaf-control-evidence.md
- `audit_fetch_assessment_runs` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/compliancecow-cow-mcp/audit-fetch-assessment-runs.md
- `audit_fetch_evidence_records` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/compliancecow-cow-mcp/audit-fetch-evidence-records.md
- `audit_get_uses_by_ids` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/compliancecow-cow-mcp/audit-get-uses-by-ids.md
- `audit_list_all_assessment_categories` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/compliancecow-cow-mcp/audit-list-all-assessment-categories.md
- `audit_list_all_assessments` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/compliancecow-cow-mcp/audit-list-all-assessments.md
- `audit_list_assessment_control_configs` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/compliancecow-cow-mcp/audit-list-assessment-control-configs.md
- …and 178 more: https://policylayer.com/tools/compliancecow-cow-mcp.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=compliancecow-cow-mcp · API: https://policylayer.com/registry/api · Policy library: https://policylayer.com/policies/compliancecow-cow-mcp