Low Risk

debugger_get_watches

Get all watched expressions with their current values. Reports value changes since the last pause.

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

AI agents call debugger_get_watches to retrieve information from Mcp Debugger 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 debugger_get_watches 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.

io-github-digital-defiance-mcp-debugger.yaml
tools:
  debugger_get_watches:
    rules:
      - action: allow

See the full Mcp Debugger policy for all 29 tools.

Tool Name debugger_get_watches
Category Read
Risk Level Low

View all 29 tools →

Agents calling read-class tools like debugger_get_watches have been implicated in these attack patterns. Read the full case and prevention policy for each:

Browse the full MCP Attack Database →

Other tools in the Read risk category across the catalogue. The same policy patterns (rate-limit, allow) apply to each.

What does the debugger_get_watches tool do? +

Get all watched expressions with their current values. Reports value changes since the last pause.. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Mcp Debugger MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.

How do I enforce a policy on debugger_get_watches? +

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

What risk level is debugger_get_watches? +

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

Can I rate-limit debugger_get_watches? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the debugger_get_watches 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 debugger_get_watches completely? +

Set action: deny in the Intercept policy for debugger_get_watches. 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 debugger_get_watches? +

debugger_get_watches is provided by the Mcp Debugger MCP server (@ai-capabilities-suite/mcp-debugger-server). Intercept sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policies on Mcp Debugger

Open source. One binary. Zero dependencies.

npx -y @policylayer/intercept
github.com/policylayer/intercept →
// GET IN TOUCH

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