list_vms

List Azure virtual machines

SERVERNcp SOURCE@portel/ncp

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-portel-dev-ncp/list-vms.md

WHAT IT DOES

What list_vms does on Ncp

AI agents call list_vms 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.

RISK

Why list_vms is rated Low

The tool performs a read-only query of Azure VM resources. Listing VMs returns information about existing infrastructure without side effects, state changes, or resource creation/deletion. This is a straightforward inventory or discovery operation typical of Read category tools.

From the tool's definition Tool name 'list_vms' and description 'List Azure virtual machines' indicate a retrieval operation with no modification or execution of resources.

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

RECOMMENDED RULE

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

list_vms Allowed

list_vms 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": {
    "list_vms": {}
  }
}

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

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

FAQ

Questions about list_vms

What does the list_vms tool do? +

List Azure virtual machines. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Ncp MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.

How do I enforce a policy on list_vms? +

Register the Ncp MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for list_vms: 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.

What risk level is list_vms? +

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

Can I rate-limit list_vms? +

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

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

list_vms 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.

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