List all available tools from a target MCP server. Use this to discover what tools a target MCP server provides. Returns tool names, descriptions, and input schemas. Args: - target (string): Target MCP server - command (e.g.,
AI agents call mcpdev_inspector_list_tools to retrieve information from MCP Dev MCP without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool performs information retrieval only—it discovers and enumerates tools and their metadata from a target MCP server without modifying, executing, or deleting anything. It is purely Read category with low severity since it has no blast radius beyond information disclosure.
From the tool's definition Tool description states 'List all available tools from a target MCP server. Returns tool names, descriptions, and input schemas.' The verb 'List' and the read-only nature of returning metadata about available tools indicates this is a query/discovery…
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
List all available tools from a target MCP server. Use this to discover what tools a target MCP server provides. Returns tool names, descriptions, and input schemas. Args: - target (string): Target MCP server - command (e.g.,. It is categorised as a Read tool in the MCP Dev MCP MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the MCP Dev MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for mcpdev_inspector_list_tools: 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 MCP Dev MCP. Nothing to install.
mcpdev_inspector_list_tools 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 mcpdev_inspector_list_tools 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 mcpdev_inspector_list_tools. 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.
mcpdev_inspector_list_tools is provided by the MCP Dev MCP server (kongyo2/mcpdevmcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Every MCP server has a record like this.
Type a name, get the same breakdown: verified identity, auth posture, risk grade, capabilities, recommended policy.
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