pg_buffer
Create a buffer zone around geometries. Default limit: 10 rows, default simplify: 10m (set simplify: 0 to disable). Simplification reduces polygon point count for LLM-friendly payloads.
This record as markdown: /tools/io-github-neverinfamous-postgres-mcp/pg-buffer.md
What pg_buffer does on PostgreSQL MCP Server
AI agents invoke pg_buffer to trigger actions in PostgreSQL MCP Server. What it does depends on the arguments the agent supplies, and its effects often reach beyond the immediate call: builds kicked off, notifications sent, workflows started.
Why pg_buffer is rated High
The tool performs a spatial buffer computation (PostGIS ST_Buffer or similar), which executes a database function/query to transform geometry data. While it likely has no persistent side effects (read-only spatial transformation), the 'Execute' category best fits because it runs a computation/function rather than a simple retrieval.
From the tool's definition 'Create a buffer zone around geometries' — this triggers a spatial computation/operation on database geometries, returning processed results. It is not a simple read/query but an active transformation operation executed against the database.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
The rule that runs pg_buffer safely
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: it sits between your AI agents and PostgreSQL MCP Server, and checks every tool call against a rule you set before the call runs. Nothing changes on the server itself. For pg_buffer, this is the rule to start with:
pg_buffer stays usable, but rate-capped: a runaway agent can't fire it dozens of times a minute. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.
The button opens the PolicyLayer dashboard: create your workspace, connect PostgreSQL MCP Server, apply this rule, and every pg_buffer call is checked against it from then on.
Questions about pg_buffer
Create a buffer zone around geometries. Default limit: 10 rows, default simplify: 10m (set simplify: 0 to disable). Simplification reduces polygon point count for LLM-friendly payloads. It is categorised as a Execute tool in the PostgreSQL MCP Server MCP Server, which means it can trigger actions or run processes. Use rate limits and argument validation.
Register the PostgreSQL MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for pg_buffer: 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 PostgreSQL MCP Server. Nothing to install.
pg_buffer is a Execute tool with high risk. Execute tools should be rate-limited and have argument validation enabled.
Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the pg_buffer 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 pg_buffer. 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.
pg_buffer is provided by the PostgreSQL MCP Server MCP server (@neverinfamous/postgres-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
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