List all user tables in the specified SQL Server database, including schema name and approximate row count.
AI agents call list_tables to retrieve information from Sql Database without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
| Parameter | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
server | string | Yes | Server hostname (e.g. server1.database.windows.net) |
database | string | Yes | Database name |
Parameters from the server's own tool schema.
This tool retrieves metadata about tables in a database (names, schema, row counts) without modifying any data or executing arbitrary queries. It is a read-only introspection capability, posing minimal risk even if misused by an AI agent, as it only exposes schema information that is typically non-sensitive metadata.
From the tool's definition Tool name is 'list_tables' and description states it 'List all user tables in the specified SQL Server database, including schema name and approximate row count.' This is a pure retrieval operation with no modification or execution of arbitrary code.
Risk signalsBulk/mass operation — affects multiple targets
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
List all user tables in the specified SQL Server database, including schema name and approximate row count. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Sql Database MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
list_tables accepts 2 parameters: server, database. Required: server, database. The full parameter table on this page comes from the server's own tool schema.
Register the Sql Database MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for list_tables: 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 Sql Database. Nothing to install.
list_tables 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_tables 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_tables. 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_tables is provided by the Sql Database MCP server (sql-database-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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