This record as markdown: /tools/io-github-portel-dev-ncp/describe-table.md
What describe_table does on Ncp
AI agents call describe_table to retrieve information from Ncp without modifying anything. It is typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
Why describe_table is rated Low
This tool retrieves and returns information about table structure and properties. It performs no side effects, makes no modifications to data, executes no code, and causes no deletions. It is a read-only introspection operation, fitting squarely in the Read category with low severity since it only exposes schema information.
From the tool's definition Tool name 'describe_table' and description 'Get detailed information about a specific table' indicate a query operation that retrieves metadata without modification or deletion.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
The rule that runs describe_table safely
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: it sits between your AI agents and Ncp, and checks every tool call against a rule you set before the call runs. Nothing changes on the server itself. For describe_table, this is the rule to start with:
describe_table is read-only, so it stays allowed. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.
The button opens the PolicyLayer dashboard: create your workspace, connect Ncp, apply this rule, and every describe_table call is checked against it from then on.
Questions about describe_table
Get detailed information about a specific table. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Ncp MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Ncp MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for describe_table: 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 Ncp. Nothing to install.
describe_table is a Read tool with low risk. Read-only tools are generally safe to allow by default.
Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the describe_table 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 describe_table. 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.
describe_table is provided by the Ncp MCP server (@portel/ncp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
More on Ncp, and thousands of servers like it.
This server
Across the catalogue