Retrieve a time series showing when news coverage of a topic spiked, or how average tone shifted over time. Use mode "volume" for normalized coverage intensity (% of all global coverage per timestep). Use mode "volume_with_articles" for the same signal plus the top articles that drove each spike ...
Risk signalsAccepts freeform code/query input (query)
Part of the Gdelt Mcp Server server.
Free to start. No card required.
AI agents call gdelt_get_coverage_timeline to retrieve information from Gdelt Mcp Server without modifying any data. This is common in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows where the agent needs context before taking action. Because read operations don't change state, they are generally safe to allow without restrictions -- but you may still want rate limits to control API costs.
Even though gdelt_get_coverage_timeline only reads data, uncontrolled read access can leak sensitive information or rack up API costs. An agent caught in a retry loop could make thousands of calls per minute. A rate limit gives you a safety net without blocking legitimate use.
Read-only tools are safe to allow by default. No rate limit needed unless you want to control costs.
{
"version": "1",
"default": "deny",
"tools": {
"gdelt_get_coverage_timeline": {}
}
}See the full Gdelt Mcp Server policy for all 9 tools.
These attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access gdelt_get_coverage_timeline gives an agent. Each links to the full case and the policy that stops it:
Other read tools across the catalogue. The same approach applies to each: allow, with a rate cap to control cost.
Retrieve a time series showing when news coverage of a topic spiked, or how average tone shifted over time. Use mode "volume" for normalized coverage intensity (% of all global coverage per timestep). Use mode "volume_with_articles" for the same signal plus the top articles that drove each spike — this is the primary signal-detection mode: a single call reveals both the spike and its cause, avoiding a follow-up gdelt_search_articles call. Use mode "tone" for average sentiment score per timestep (negative = hostile/fearful, positive = celebratory). Date resolution is automatically chosen based on timespan: hours for short windows, days for longer ones. Note: DOC API covers only the last 3 months.. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Gdelt Mcp Server MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Gdelt Mcp Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for gdelt_get_coverage_timeline: 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 Gdelt Mcp Server. Nothing to install.
gdelt_get_coverage_timeline is a Read tool with low risk. Read-only tools are generally safe to allow by default.
Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the gdelt_get_coverage_timeline 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.
Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for gdelt_get_coverage_timeline. 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.
gdelt_get_coverage_timeline is provided by the Gdelt Mcp Server MCP server (@cyanheads/gdelt-mcp-server). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Deterministic rules across all 9 Gdelt Mcp Server tools. Per-identity grants. Full audit log. Live in minutes. Nothing to install.
Free to start. No card required.
4,600+ MCP servers and 31,000+ tools scanned and risk-classified.