pg_explain_buffers

Show query plan with buffer usage statistics.

SERVERPostgreSQL MCP Server SOURCE@neverinfamous/postgres-mcp

Low RISK CLASS

Category Read

Parameters 00 required

Recommended Allowedsee the rule below

Registry record Grade F, identity unverified Pull the record →

This record as markdown: /tools/io-github-neverinfamous-postgres-mcp/pg-explain-buffers.md

WHAT IT DOES

What pg_explain_buffers does on PostgreSQL MCP Server

AI agents call pg_explain_buffers to retrieve information from PostgreSQL MCP Server without modifying anything. It is typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.

RISK

Why pg_explain_buffers is rated Low

pg_explain_buffers performs query analysis and reporting (EXPLAIN BUFFERS), which is a non-destructive read operation. It generates diagnostic statistics about how a query would execute, including buffer I/O details. No data is created, modified, deleted, or at financial risk.

From the tool's definition Tool name and description indicate 'Show query plan with buffer usage statistics' — this retrieves and displays query execution information without modifying, deleting, or executing arbitrary operations.

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

RECOMMENDED RULE

The rule that runs pg_explain_buffers 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_explain_buffers, this is the rule to start with:

pg_explain_buffers Allowed

pg_explain_buffers is read-only, so it stays allowed. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

View as policy code

policy.json

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

ALLOW ONLY THIS TOOL → Instant setup, no code required.

The button opens the PolicyLayer dashboard: create your workspace, connect PostgreSQL MCP Server, apply this rule, and every pg_explain_buffers call is checked against it from then on.

FAQ

Questions about pg_explain_buffers

What does the pg_explain_buffers tool do? +

Show query plan with buffer usage statistics. It is categorised as a Read tool in the PostgreSQL MCP Server MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.

How do I enforce a policy on pg_explain_buffers? +

Register the PostgreSQL MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for pg_explain_buffers: 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.

What risk level is pg_explain_buffers? +

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

Can I rate-limit pg_explain_buffers? +

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

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

pg_explain_buffers 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.

KEEP EXPLORING

What pg_explain_buffers does on PostgreSQL MCP Server

Why pg_explain_buffers is rated Low

The rule that runs pg_explain_buffers safely

Questions about pg_explain_buffers

More on PostgreSQL MCP Server, and thousands of servers like it.