Fetch recent agent spans, optionally filtered by session or run.
AI agents call get_spans to retrieve information from Metis Public Health without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool queries and retrieves telemetry or execution trace data (agent spans) from the system with optional filtering. It has no side effects, does not modify data, does not execute code, and does not delete anything. It is purely informational retrieval, fitting the 'Read' category.
From the tool's definition Tool name is 'get_spans' and description states 'Fetch recent agent spans' — 'Fetch' is a read operation that retrieves data without modification.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Fetch recent agent spans, optionally filtered by session or run. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Metis Public Health MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Metis Public Health MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for get_spans: 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 Metis Public Health. Nothing to install.
get_spans 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 get_spans 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 get_spans. 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.
get_spans is provided by the Metis Public Health MCP server (sveritg/metis_ph). 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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