# list_checks

A read tool on the ComplianceCow MCP Server MCP server.

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

## Facts

- Tool: `list_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": "list_checks",
    "arguments": {}
  }
}
```

## Why list_checks is rated Low

The 'list' prefix strongly suggests data retrieval with no side effects. While the description is empty, the naming convention and server context (ComplianceCow compliance platform) indicate this queries existing compliance checks rather than modifying or executing actions. Confidence is not higher due to the empty description, but the naming and sibling context provide reasonable assurance this is a Read operation.

From the tool's own definition: "Tool name 'list_checks' indicates a retrieval operation. The server description mentions 'retrieve compliance insights, dashboard data, and auditable evidence' as a core function."

## Use case

AI agents call list_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": {
    "list_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