Get detailed column information for a specific table.
AI agents call describe_table to retrieve information from Snowflake MCP Server without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool retrieves metadata about table structure (columns, types, constraints) without modifying, executing code, deleting, or moving money. It is a classic Read operation. The read-only design of the server and the passive nature of metadata inspection both support low severity — misuse would only expose schema information, not cause data loss or unintended modifications.
From the tool's definition Tool name and description indicate 'Get detailed column information for a specific table' — a read-only retrieval operation with no side effects. Server description confirms 'read-only access to Snowflake data warehouses.'
Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access describe_table gives an agent:
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and Snowflake MCP Server, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for describe_table:
{
"version": "1",
"default": "deny",
"tools": {
"describe_table": {}
}
}describe_table 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 column information for a specific table. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Snowflake MCP Server MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Snowflake MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for describe_table: 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 Snowflake MCP Server. Nothing to install.
describe_table 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 describe_table 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 describe_table. 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.
describe_table is provided by the Snowflake MCP Server MCP server (ncejda-g2/snowflake_mcp_server). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Start from Snowflake 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.
7 Snowflake MCP Server tools catalogued and risk-classified — across an index of 43,000+ MCP servers.