MCP Tool Reference Medium Risk

generate_source

Generate source YAML by introspecting database schemas

Part of the dbt MCP server. Enforce policies on this tool with Intercept, the open-source MCP proxy.

dbt-labs/dbt-mcp Write

WHEN AI AGENTS USE THIS TOOL

AI agents use generate_source to create or modify resources in dbt. Write operations carry medium risk because an autonomous agent could trigger bulk unintended modifications. Rate limits prevent a single agent session from making hundreds of changes in rapid succession. Argument validation ensures the agent passes expected values.

WHY ENFORCE A POLICY ON GENERATE_SOURCE

Without a policy, an AI agent could call generate_source repeatedly, creating or modifying resources faster than any human could review. Intercept's rate limiting ensures write operations happen at a controlled pace, and argument validation catches malformed or unexpected inputs before they reach dbt.

RECOMMENDED POLICY

Write tools can modify data. A rate limit prevents runaway bulk operations from AI agents.

dbt.yaml 
tools:
  generate_source:
    rules:
      - action: allow
        rate_limit:
          max: 30
          window: 60

See the full dbt policy for all 48 tools.

DETAILS

Tool Name

generate_source

Category

Write

MCP Server

dbt MCP Server

Risk Level

Medium

MORE DBT TOOLS

generate_model_yaml Write
Generate model YAML with columns
generate_staging_model Write
Generate staging model SQL from a source table
get_dimensions Read
Get dimensions for specified metrics
get_entities Read
Get entities for specified metrics
get_metrics_compiled_sql Read
Get compiled SQL for metrics without executing
list_metrics Read
Retrieve all defined metrics
list_saved_queries Read
Retrieve all saved queries
get_all_macros Read
Retrieve macros with optional package filtering

View all 48 tools →

SIMILAR WRITE TOOLS ON OTHER SERVERS

create_table Airtable
Create a new table with fields
update_table Airtable
Update a table's name or description
create_field Airtable
Add a new field to a table
update_field Airtable
Modify an existing field
create_record Airtable
Add a new record
update_record Airtable
Modify an existing record

RELATED READING

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What does the generate_source tool do?

Generate source YAML by introspecting database schemas. It is categorised as a Write tool in the dbt MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.

How do I enforce a policy on generate_source?

Add a rule in your Intercept YAML policy under the tools section for generate_source. You can allow, deny, rate-limit, or validate arguments. Then run Intercept as a proxy in front of the dbt MCP server.

What risk level is generate_source?

generate_source is a Write tool with medium risk. Write tools should be rate-limited to prevent accidental bulk modifications.

Can I rate-limit generate_source?

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the generate_source rule in your Intercept 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 generate_source completely?

Set action: deny in the Intercept policy for generate_source. 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 generate_source?

generate_source is provided by the dbt MCP server (dbt-labs/dbt-mcp). Intercept sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

ENFORCE POLICIES ON DBT

Open source. One binary. Zero dependencies.

VIEW ON GITHUB Full dbt policy →