Get the query execution plan (EXPLAIN) for a SQL query.
AI agents call explain_query to retrieve information from Metabase Mcp Navi without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
EXPLAIN queries retrieve and display query optimization information without executing the full query or causing side effects. No data is created, modified, deleted, or at risk of financial impact. This is purely informational retrieval about how a query would execute.
From the tool's definition Tool name is 'explain_query' and description states it 'Get[s] the query execution plan (EXPLAIN) for a SQL query.' EXPLAIN is a read-only SQL command that returns metadata about query execution without modifying data.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Get the query execution plan (EXPLAIN) for a SQL query. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Metabase Mcp Navi MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Metabase Mcp Navi MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for explain_query: 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 Metabase Mcp Navi. Nothing to install.
explain_query 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 explain_query 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 explain_query. 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.
explain_query is provided by the Metabase Mcp Navi MCP server (manish-coder-1007/metabase-mcp-navi). 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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