# snow_run_discovery

Queue a CMDB discovery scan against a discovery schedule, optionally narrowed to a target IP/range and a specific MID Server. Creates a discovery_schedule_item; the scan runs asynchronously.

Agent View of the PolicyLayer registry record for `snow_run_discovery`. HTML page: https://policylayer.com/tools/serac/snow-run-discovery

## Facts

- Tool: `snow_run_discovery`
- Server: Serac (`serac-labs/serac`) — https://policylayer.com/tools/serac.md
- Homepage: https://github.com/serac-labs/serac
- Risk category: Execute (High risk)
- Registry record: grade F, identity unverified
- Server rate-limited: no
- Parameters: 0
- Recommended policy verdict: Rate-limited

## Example call (MCP tools/call, JSON-RPC 2.0)

```json
{
  "jsonrpc": "2.0",
  "id": 1,
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "name": "snow_run_discovery",
    "arguments": {}
  }
}
```

## Why snow_run_discovery is rated High

This is Execute rather than Write because it triggers an asynchronous external system operation (discovery scan) whose outcome is not simply a reversible data creation but rather an active probe and enumeration of infrastructure. An agent with misuse capability could target sensitive network ranges, internal servers, or critical infrastructure segments, initiating unauthorized reconnaissance.

From the tool's own definition: "The tool 'Queue[s] a CMDB discovery scan' and 'scan runs asynchronously'. This triggers an external operation (ServiceNow discovery engine) whose effects depend on arguments (target IP/range, MID Server selection)."

## Use case

AI agents invoke snow_run_discovery to trigger actions in Serac. What it does depends on the arguments the agent supplies, and its effects often reach beyond the immediate call: builds kicked off, notifications sent, workflows started.

## Recommended policy (PolicyLayer)

Verdict: **Rate-limited**. Enforced by the PolicyLayer MCP gateway (https://policylayer.com/mcp-gateway) before a call reaches Serac:

```json
{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "snow_run_discovery": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "snow_run_discovery_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 10,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}
```

## Other tools on Serac (431)

- `snow_cleanup_test_artifacts` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/serac/snow-cleanup-test-artifacts.md
- `snow_delete_attachment` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/serac/snow-delete-attachment.md
- `snow_inbound_email_action` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/serac/snow-inbound-email-action.md
- `snow_pa_indicator_manage` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/serac/snow-pa-indicator-manage.md
- `snow_rollback_deployment` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/serac/snow-rollback-deployment.md
- `snow_workflow_transition` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/serac/snow-workflow-transition.md
- `enterprise_tool_execute` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/serac/enterprise-tool-execute.md
- `snow_auto_resolve_incident` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/serac/snow-auto-resolve-incident.md
- `snow_automate_threat_response` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/serac/snow-automate-threat-response.md
- `snow_batch_request` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/serac/snow-batch-request.md
- `snow_change_manage` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/serac/snow-change-manage.md
- `snow_cicd_deploy` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/serac/snow-cicd-deploy.md
- `snow_collect_metric` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/serac/snow-collect-metric.md
- `snow_confirm_script_execution` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/serac/snow-confirm-script-execution.md
- `snow_convert_es6_to_es5` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/serac/snow-convert-es6-to-es5.md
- `snow_convert_to_es5` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/serac/snow-convert-to-es5.md
- `snow_create_mobile_action` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/serac/snow-create-mobile-action.md
- `snow_create_vulnerability_scan` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/serac/snow-create-vulnerability-scan.md
- `snow_custom_api` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/serac/snow-custom-api.md
- `snow_elevate_role` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/serac/snow-elevate-role.md
- `snow_employee_offboarding` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/serac/snow-employee-offboarding.md
- `snow_employee_onboarding` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/serac/snow-employee-onboarding.md
- `snow_execute_atf_test` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/serac/snow-execute-atf-test.md
- `snow_execute_script` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/serac/snow-execute-script.md
- `snow_execute_security_playbook` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/serac/snow-execute-security-playbook.md
- `snow_execute_transform` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/serac/snow-execute-transform.md
- `snow_fluent_build` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/serac/snow-fluent-build.md
- `snow_fluent_install` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/serac/snow-fluent-install.md
- `snow_fluent_transform` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/serac/snow-fluent-transform.md
- `snow_github_deploy` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/serac/snow-github-deploy.md
- …and 401 more: https://policylayer.com/tools/serac.md

## For agents

This record is a snapshot. Live verdicts and the full registry:

- Check every server in your MCP config at once: `npx -y policylayer stack`
- Vet a server before you add it: install the mcp-precheck skill — `npx skills add https://policylayer.com` (skill text: https://policylayer.com/skill.md)
- Query the registry over MCP: endpoint `https://api.policylayer.com/mcp` — tools `check_mcp_server`, `check_mcp_stack`, `check_tool`, `search_registry`, `get_change_events`

---

Source: the PolicyLayer MCP registry — one continuously verified record per MCP server. Full record: https://policylayer.com/registry?q=serac · API: https://policylayer.com/registry/api · Policy library: https://policylayer.com/policies/serac