Get detailed statistics about a collection. Returns information about: - Document count and size - Storage metrics - Index sizes and usage - Average document size - Padding factor
AI agents call get_collection_stats to retrieve information from MongoDB MCP Server without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool only retrieves and analyzes collection metadata and statistics without creating, modifying, deleting, or executing any operations. The absence of write, execute, or destructive capabilities, combined with the server's stated read-only design, makes this a purely informational Read operation with minimal risk if misused.
From the tool's definition Tool returns 'detailed statistics about a collection' including 'Document count and size', 'Storage metrics', 'Index sizes and usage', 'Average document size', 'Padding factor' — all read-only metadata queries with no modification capability.
Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access get_collection_stats gives an agent:
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and MongoDB MCP Server, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for get_collection_stats:
{
"version": "1",
"default": "deny",
"tools": {
"get_collection_stats": {}
}
}get_collection_stats is read-only, so it stays allowed — but everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.
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Get detailed statistics about a collection. Returns information about: - Document count and size - Storage metrics - Index sizes and usage - Average document size - Padding factor. It is categorised as a Read tool in the MongoDB MCP Server MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the MongoDB MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for get_collection_stats: 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 MongoDB MCP Server. Nothing to install.
get_collection_stats 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 get_collection_stats 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 get_collection_stats. 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.
get_collection_stats is provided by the MongoDB MCP Server MCP server (jonfreeland/mongodb-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Start from MongoDB MCP Server, add the rest of your stack, and see everything your agents can call. Then put policy on all of it.
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5 MongoDB MCP Server tools catalogued and risk-classified — across an index of 43,000+ MCP servers.