# pg_read_query

Execute a read-only SQL query (SELECT, WITH). Returns rows as JSON. Pass transactionId to execute within a transaction.

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

## Facts

- Tool: `pg_read_query`
- 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_read_query",
    "arguments": {}
  }
}
```

## Why pg_read_query is rated Low

This tool retrieves data via read-only SQL queries with no side effects. It cannot create, modify, delete data, or execute arbitrary code. The only risk is information disclosure if sensitive data is queried, but that depends on access controls and query construction, not the tool itself.

From the tool's own definition: "Tool name 'pg_read_query' and description explicitly states 'Execute a read-only SQL query (SELECT, WITH). Returns rows as JSON.' The restriction to SELECT and WITH clauses confirms no data modification, deletion, or code execution."

## Use case

AI agents call pg_read_query 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_read_query": {}
  }
}
```

## 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