get_metrics

THE RISK

Low Risk

Why get_metrics needs a policy

This tool retrieves metrics data from Datadog for analysis purposes. While it uses 'execute' in the description, it is executing a query (querying/fetching data), not executing arbitrary code or triggering external operations with unpredictable side effects. The tool has no capability to modify, delete, or create metrics—only to read them. Therefore, it belongs in the Read category.

From the tool's definition Tool executes metric queries on Datadog to retrieve data; description states 'Specify the metric name and optional filters/aggregations to build and execute the query' which indicates data retrieval without modification or deletion.

Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access get_metrics gives an agent:

POLICY

How to control get_metrics

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and Datadog MCP Server, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for get_metrics:

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "get_metrics": {}
  }
}

get_metrics is read-only, so it stays allowed — but everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

Create a free account and register Datadog MCP Server — nothing to install.
Add this policy — paste it, or build it visually.
Point your MCP client (Claude, Cursor, anything) at your gateway URL.

CAP THIS TOOL →

Free to start. No card required.

EXPLORE

Related tools and policies

More Datadog MCP Server tools

Read get_logs Search and retrieve logs from Datadog with flexible filtering parameters. Similar to get_m Read get_logs_field_values Get possible values for a specific log field to understand filtering options Read get_metric_field_values Get all possible values for a specific field of a metric from Datadog to discover availabl Read get_metric_fields Get available fields/tags for a specific metric from Datadog to help with aggregation quer Read get_pipeline_fingerprints Get unique pipeline fingerprints for specific repositories/services Read get_service_definition Retrieve the definition of a specific service from Datadog. Service definitions contain me Read get_teams Get Datadog teams and their members Read list_ci_pipelines List CI pipelines from Datadog CI Visibility with optional filtering

All 13 Datadog MCP Server tools →

Read tools on other servers

M-Team MCP Server get_torrent_detail YouTube MCP Server search_channel Android Forensics ADB MCP Server parse_browser_history 0xarchive web3_challenge

Go deeper

The MCP Attack Database → Documented attack patterns against MCP deployments — and the policies that stop them.
Data exfiltration → How read access becomes an exfiltration channel when chained with untrusted content.
MCP token cost → What connecting this server costs in context-window tokens on every request.
Rate Limiting MCP Tool Calls: A Practical Guide →
MCP Security: Why Prompt Guardrails Aren't Enough →

FAQ

Questions about get_metrics

What does the get_metrics tool do? +

Execute metric queries on Datadog. Specify the metric name and optional filters/aggregations to build and execute the query. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Datadog MCP Server MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.

How do I enforce a policy on get_metrics? +

Register the Datadog MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for get_metrics: 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 Datadog MCP Server. Nothing to install.

What risk level is get_metrics? +

get_metrics is a Read tool with low risk. Read-only tools are generally safe to allow by default.

Can I rate-limit get_metrics? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the get_metrics 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.

How do I block get_metrics completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for get_metrics. 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.

What MCP server provides get_metrics? +

get_metrics is provided by the Datadog MCP Server MCP server (shelfio/datadog-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every Datadog MCP Server tool call.

Start from Datadog MCP Server, add the rest of your stack, and see everything your agents can call. Then put policy on all of it.

CHECK YOUR STACK →