list_channels

THE RISK

Low Risk

Why list_channels needs a policy

This tool queries and retrieves existing channel information without creating, modifying, deleting, or executing any operations. It is a straightforward read-only operation that presents no risk of data loss, code execution, or system modification even if misused by an AI agent.

From the tool's definition Tool description states it 'List all channels' and 'Returns channel names, IDs, types, and categories' — purely retrieval with no modifications or side effects.

Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access list_channels gives an agent:

POLICY

How to control list_channels

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and Discord, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for list_channels:

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "list_channels": {}
  }
}

list_channels is read-only, so it stays allowed — but everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

Create a free account and register Discord — nothing to install.
Add this policy — paste it, or build it visually.
Point your MCP client (Claude, Cursor, anything) at your gateway URL.

CAP THIS TOOL →

Free to start. No card required.

EXPLORE

Related tools and policies

More Discord tools

Destructive bulk_delete_messages Delete multiple messages from a channel at once (2-100 messages). Only works on messages l Destructive delete_automod_rule Delete an auto-moderation rule from the Discord server. Destructive delete_channel Delete a channel from the Discord server. Channel name is fuzzy-matched. Destructive delete_command Delete an application (slash) command. Destructive delete_emoji Remove a custom emoji from the server by name or ID. Destructive delete_event Delete a scheduled event from the Discord server. Destructive delete_forum_tag Remove a tag from a forum channel. Destructive delete_integration Remove an integration from the server by its ID.

All 139 Discord tools →

Read tools on other servers

M-Team MCP Server get_torrent_detail YouTube MCP Server search_channel Android Forensics ADB MCP Server parse_browser_history 0xarchive web3_challenge

Go deeper

The MCP Attack Database → Documented attack patterns against MCP deployments — and the policies that stop them.
Data exfiltration → How read access becomes an exfiltration channel when chained with untrusted content.
MCP token cost → What connecting this server costs in context-window tokens on every request.
Rate Limiting MCP Tool Calls: A Practical Guide →
MCP Security: Why Prompt Guardrails Aren't Enough →

FAQ

Questions about list_channels

What does the list_channels tool do? +

List all channels in the Discord server, organized by category. Returns channel names, IDs, types, and categories. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Discord MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.

How do I enforce a policy on list_channels? +

Register the Discord MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for list_channels: allow, deny, rate-limit, or require approval. Point your MCP client at the PolicyLayer proxy URL and the rule is enforced on every call, before it reaches Discord. Nothing to install.

What risk level is list_channels? +

list_channels is a Read tool with low risk. Read-only tools are generally safe to allow by default.

Can I rate-limit list_channels? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the list_channels rule in your PolicyLayer 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 list_channels completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for list_channels. 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 list_channels? +

list_channels is provided by the Discord MCP server (hardheadhackerhead/discord-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every Discord tool call.

Start from Discord, add the rest of your stack, and see everything your agents can call. Then put policy on all of it.

CHECK YOUR STACK →