# pg_explain

Show query execution plan without running the query.

Agent View of the PolicyLayer registry record for `pg_explain`. HTML page: https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-neverinfamous-postgres-mcp/pg-explain

## Facts

- Tool: `pg_explain`
- Server: PostgreSQL MCP Server (`@neverinfamous/postgres-mcp`) — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-neverinfamous-postgres-mcp.md
- Install: `npx -y @neverinfamous/postgres-mcp`
- Homepage: https://github.com/neverinfamous/postgresql-mcp.git
- Risk category: Read (Low risk)
- Registry record: grade F, identity unverified
- Server rate-limited: no
- Parameters: 0
- Recommended policy verdict: Allowed

## Example call (MCP tools/call, JSON-RPC 2.0)

```json
{
  "jsonrpc": "2.0",
  "id": 1,
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "name": "pg_explain",
    "arguments": {}
  }
}
```

## Why pg_explain is rated Low

This tool retrieves and displays query execution plan information, which is a read-only operation with no side effects. It does not modify data, execute code with external effects, delete anything, or commit financial transactions. The explicit mention that it does not 'run the query' confirms it is purely informational retrieval.

From the tool's own definition: "Tool name is 'pg_explain' and description states 'Show query execution plan without running the query.' The EXPLAIN command in PostgreSQL generates metadata about query execution without modifying or executing the query itself."

## Use case

AI agents call pg_explain 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.

## Recommended policy (PolicyLayer)

Verdict: **Allowed**. Enforced by the PolicyLayer MCP gateway (https://policylayer.com/mcp-gateway) before a call reaches PostgreSQL MCP Server:

```json
{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "pg_explain": {}
  }
}
```

## Other tools on PostgreSQL MCP Server (273)

- `pg_cascade_simulator` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-neverinfamous-postgres-mcp/pg-cascade-simulator.md
- `pg_cron_cleanup_history` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-neverinfamous-postgres-mcp/pg-cron-cleanup-history.md
- `pg_cron_unschedule` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-neverinfamous-postgres-mcp/pg-cron-unschedule.md
- `pg_detach_partition` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-neverinfamous-postgres-mcp/pg-detach-partition.md
- `pg_doc_drop_collection` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-neverinfamous-postgres-mcp/pg-doc-drop-collection.md
- `pg_doc_remove` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-neverinfamous-postgres-mcp/pg-doc-remove.md
- `pg_drop_index` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-neverinfamous-postgres-mcp/pg-drop-index.md
- `pg_drop_schema` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-neverinfamous-postgres-mcp/pg-drop-schema.md
- `pg_drop_sequence` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-neverinfamous-postgres-mcp/pg-drop-sequence.md
- `pg_drop_table` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-neverinfamous-postgres-mcp/pg-drop-table.md
- `pg_drop_view` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-neverinfamous-postgres-mcp/pg-drop-view.md
- `pg_kcache_reset` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-neverinfamous-postgres-mcp/pg-kcache-reset.md
- `pg_migration_rollback` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-neverinfamous-postgres-mcp/pg-migration-rollback.md
- `pg_partman_set_retention` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-neverinfamous-postgres-mcp/pg-partman-set-retention.md
- `pg_reset_stats` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-neverinfamous-postgres-mcp/pg-reset-stats.md
- `pg_role_drop` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-neverinfamous-postgres-mcp/pg-role-drop.md
- `pg_text_normalize` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-neverinfamous-postgres-mcp/pg-text-normalize.md
- `pg_truncate` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-neverinfamous-postgres-mcp/pg-truncate.md
- `pg_analyze` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-neverinfamous-postgres-mcp/pg-analyze.md
- `pg_analyze_query_indexes` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-neverinfamous-postgres-mcp/pg-analyze-query-indexes.md
- `pg_buffer` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-neverinfamous-postgres-mcp/pg-buffer.md
- `pg_cancel_backend` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-neverinfamous-postgres-mcp/pg-cancel-backend.md
- `pg_cluster` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-neverinfamous-postgres-mcp/pg-cluster.md
- `pg_cron_create_extension` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-neverinfamous-postgres-mcp/pg-cron-create-extension.md
- `pg_cron_schedule` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-neverinfamous-postgres-mcp/pg-cron-schedule.md
- `pg_cron_schedule_in_database` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-neverinfamous-postgres-mcp/pg-cron-schedule-in-database.md
- `pg_explain_analyze` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-neverinfamous-postgres-mcp/pg-explain-analyze.md
- `pg_geo_cluster` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-neverinfamous-postgres-mcp/pg-geo-cluster.md
- `pg_geo_transform` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-neverinfamous-postgres-mcp/pg-geo-transform.md
- `pg_geometry_transform` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-neverinfamous-postgres-mcp/pg-geometry-transform.md
- …and 243 more: https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-neverinfamous-postgres-mcp.md

## For agents

This record is a snapshot. Live verdicts and the full registry:

- Check every server in your MCP config at once: `npx -y policylayer stack`
- Vet a server before you add it: install the mcp-precheck skill — `npx skills add https://policylayer.com` (skill text: https://policylayer.com/skill.md)
- Query the registry over MCP: endpoint `https://api.policylayer.com/mcp` — tools `check_mcp_server`, `check_mcp_stack`, `check_tool`, `search_registry`, `get_change_events`

---

Source: the PolicyLayer MCP registry — one continuously verified record per MCP server. Full record: https://policylayer.com/registry?q=io-github-neverinfamous-postgres-mcp · API: https://policylayer.com/registry/api · Policy library: https://policylayer.com/policies/io-github-neverinfamous-postgres-mcp