Use this as the primary tool to retrieve and examine distributed traces from Google Cloud Trace. Traces provide a detailed view of the path of a request as it travels through your application
AI agents call list_traces to retrieve information from Observability without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool performs data retrieval of distributed traces for observability purposes. It queries existing trace data without creating, modifying, deleting, or executing any operations. The blast radius of misuse is limited to unauthorized exposure of trace information, which is typically less sensitive than operational data and does not affect system state or functionality.
From the tool's definition Tool description explicitly states it is used to "retrieve and examine distributed traces" from Google Cloud Trace.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Use this as the primary tool to retrieve and examine distributed traces from Google Cloud Trace. Traces provide a detailed view of the path of a request as it travels through your application. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Observability MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Observability MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for list_traces: 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 Observability. Nothing to install.
list_traces 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 list_traces 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 list_traces. 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.
list_traces is provided by the Observability MCP server (@google-cloud/observability-mcp). 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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