Create a new Databricks cluster with parameters: cluster_name (required), spark_version (required), node_type_id (required), num_workers, autotermination_minutes
AI agents use create_cluster to create or update resources in Databricks MCP Server — usually the action step of a workflow, after the agent has gathered context. Every call changes real data in your Databricks MCP Server environment.
Creating a cluster is a reversible Write operation—the cluster can be deleted afterward. However, it has high severity because cluster creation incurs immediate cloud compute costs, consumes resource quotas, and could impact organizational billing and resource availability.
From the tool's definition Tool creates a new Databricks cluster resource with required parameters (cluster_name, spark_version, node_type_id). The description explicitly states 'Create a new' which is a Write operation that instantiates infrastructure.
Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access create_cluster gives an agent:
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and Databricks MCP Server, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for create_cluster:
{
"version": "1",
"default": "deny",
"tools": {
"create_cluster": {
"limits": [
{
"counter": "create_cluster_rate",
"window": "minute",
"max": 30,
"scope": "grant"
}
]
}
}
}create_cluster stays usable, but capped — an agent stuck in a loop can't make hundreds of changes a minute. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.
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Create a new Databricks cluster with parameters: cluster_name (required), spark_version (required), node_type_id (required), num_workers, autotermination_minutes. It is categorised as a Write tool in the Databricks MCP Server MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.
Register the Databricks MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for create_cluster: 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 Databricks MCP Server. Nothing to install.
create_cluster is a Write tool with medium risk. Write tools should be rate-limited to prevent accidental bulk modifications.
Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the create_cluster 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 create_cluster. 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.
create_cluster is provided by the Databricks MCP Server MCP server (justtryai/databricks-mcp-server). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Start from Databricks MCP Server, add the rest of your stack, and see everything your agents can call. Then put policy on all of it.
Free to start. No card required.
11 Databricks MCP Server tools catalogued and risk-classified — across an index of 43,000+ MCP servers.