List available IBM Quantum backends.
AI agents call list_backends_tool to retrieve information from Qiskit Documentation MCP Server without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This is a straightforward information retrieval tool that lists available backends. It has no side effects, does not execute code or commands, does not modify data, and does not involve financial transactions. The blast radius of misuse is minimal—an agent could only learn what backends are available, which is non-sensitive operational metadata. This clearly falls under the 'Read' category.
From the tool's definition Tool name 'list_backends_tool' and description 'List available IBM Quantum backends' indicate a query/retrieval operation that returns information about available quantum computing resources without modifying or executing anything.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
List available IBM Quantum backends. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Qiskit Documentation MCP Server MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Qiskit Documentation MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for list_backends_tool: 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 Qiskit Documentation MCP Server. Nothing to install.
list_backends_tool 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_backends_tool 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_backends_tool. 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_backends_tool is provided by the Qiskit Documentation MCP Server MCP server (pypi:qiskit-mcp-server). 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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