# list_containers

List all Docker containers

Agent View of the PolicyLayer registry record for `list_containers`. HTML page: https://policylayer.com/tools/docker/list-containers

## Facts

- Tool: `list_containers`
- Server: Docker (`@ckreiling/mcp-server-docker`) — https://policylayer.com/tools/docker.md
- Install: `npx -y @ckreiling/mcp-server-docker`
- Homepage: https://github.com/ckreiling/mcp-server-docker
- Risk category: Read (Low risk)
- Registry record: grade F, identity verified
- 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_containers",
    "arguments": {}
  }
}
```

## Why list_containers is rated Low

This tool queries and returns container metadata without modifying, executing, or deleting resources. It is a Read operation. Severity is medium rather than low because container listings may expose sensitive information (container names, IDs, image references, runtime configuration) that could inform reconnaissance for privilege escalation or lateral movement in a multi-tenant or sensitive environment.

From the tool's own definition: "Tool name and description indicate it 'List all Docker containers' — a retrieval operation with no side effects."

## Use case

AI agents call list_containers to retrieve information from Docker 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 Docker:

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

## Other tools on Docker (18)

- `recreate_container` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/docker/recreate-container.md
- `remove_container` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/docker/remove-container.md
- `remove_image` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/docker/remove-image.md
- `remove_network` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/docker/remove-network.md
- `remove_volume` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/docker/remove-volume.md
- `build_image` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/docker/build-image.md
- `create_container` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/docker/create-container.md
- `pull_image` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/docker/pull-image.md
- `run_container` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/docker/run-container.md
- `start_container` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/docker/start-container.md
- `stop_container` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/docker/stop-container.md
- `fetch_container_logs` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/docker/fetch-container-logs.md
- `list_images` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/docker/list-images.md
- `list_networks` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/docker/list-networks.md
- `list_volumes` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/docker/list-volumes.md
- `create_network` — Write — https://policylayer.com/tools/docker/create-network.md
- `create_volume` — Write — https://policylayer.com/tools/docker/create-volume.md
- `push_image` — Write — https://policylayer.com/tools/docker/push-image.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=docker · API: https://policylayer.com/registry/api · Policy library: https://policylayer.com/policies/docker