list_metrics

THE RISK

Low Risk

Why list_metrics needs a policy

This tool only lists or enumerates available metrics without modifying, deleting, or executing anything. It is a read-only discovery operation with minimal blast radius if misused by an AI agent.

From the tool's definition Tool name 'list_metrics' and description 'List all available metrics from Datadog. Useful for discovering metrics before querying them with get_metrics.' — purely retrieves/discovers data with no side effects.

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

POLICY

How to control list_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 list_metrics:

policy.json

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

list_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_metrics Execute metric queries on Datadog. Specify the metric name and optional filters/aggregatio 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

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 list_metrics

What does the list_metrics tool do? +

List all available metrics from Datadog. Useful for discovering metrics before querying them with get_metrics. 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 list_metrics? +

Register the Datadog MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for list_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 list_metrics? +

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

Can I rate-limit list_metrics? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the list_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 list_metrics completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for list_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 list_metrics? +

list_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 →