Get a brief description of an NPM package
AI agents call describe_npm_package to retrieve information from MCP Package Docs Server without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool queries and fetches structured documentation and metadata for NPM packages. It retrieves information only (a brief description) with no side effects, modification of data, code execution, or destructive operations. This is a straightforward Read operation consistent with the pattern of sibling tools like 'lookup_npm_doc' and 'get_npm_package_doc'.
From the tool's definition Tool name 'describe_npm_package' with description 'Get a brief description of an NPM package' indicates retrieval of package metadata without modification or execution capabilities.
Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access describe_npm_package gives an agent:
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and MCP Package Docs Server, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for describe_npm_package:
{
"version": "1",
"default": "deny",
"tools": {
"describe_npm_package": {}
}
}describe_npm_package is read-only, so it stays allowed — but everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.
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Get a brief description of an NPM package. It is categorised as a Read tool in the MCP Package Docs Server MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the MCP Package Docs Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for describe_npm_package: 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 MCP Package Docs Server. Nothing to install.
describe_npm_package 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_npm_package 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_npm_package. 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_npm_package is provided by the MCP Package Docs Server MCP server (sammcj/mcp-package-docs). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Deterministic rules across all 13 MCP Package Docs Server tools. Per-identity grants. Full audit log. Live in minutes. Nothing to install.
Free to start. No card required.
13 MCP Package Docs Server tools catalogued and risk-classified — across an index of 42,500+ MCP servers.