List all running Tableau Desktop instances. Returns available instances with session IDs that can be used in the session parameter of other tools.
AI agents call list-instances to retrieve information from Tableau MCP Server 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 information about running Tableau Desktop instances and their session IDs. It has no side effects—it merely enumerates existing state without creating, modifying, deleting, or executing anything. The returned session IDs are reference data used by other tools, not actions taken.
From the tool's definition Tool name is 'list-instances' and description states it 'List all running Tableau Desktop instances' and 'Returns available instances with session IDs'. The verb 'list' and 'returns' indicate data retrieval with no modification or execution.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
List all running Tableau Desktop instances. Returns available instances with session IDs that can be used in the session parameter of other tools. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Tableau MCP Server MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Tableau MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for list-instances: 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 Tableau MCP Server. Nothing to install.
list-instances 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-instances 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-instances. 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-instances is provided by the Tableau MCP Server MCP server (tableau/tableau-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.