Run a WIQL query to find work items. Use for any bulk lookups.
AI agents call query_work_items to retrieve information from Az Devops Cli without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool executes queries against work items to retrieve information. While it runs a query (which could be categorized as Execute in some contexts), the explicit purpose is data retrieval with no side effects—no creation, modification, deletion, or external operation triggering. It belongs in the Read category as the most appropriate classification.
From the tool's definition Tool description: 'Run a WIQL query to find work items. Use for any bulk lookups.' The verb 'find' and 'lookups' indicate data retrieval without modification.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Run a WIQL query to find work items. Use for any bulk lookups. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Az Devops Cli MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Az Devops Cli MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for query_work_items: 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 Az Devops Cli. Nothing to install.
query_work_items 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 query_work_items 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 query_work_items. 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.
query_work_items is provided by the Az Devops Cli MCP server (praisesinkamba/az-devops-cli-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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