Gets all columns for a sheet
AI agents call get_columns to retrieve information from Smartsheet 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 column metadata from a Smartsheet sheet. It performs a read-only operation that does not create, modify, delete, or execute any actions. The API call simply fetches existing schema information, making it a Read category tool with low severity since unauthorized access to column definitions poses minimal risk compared to data modification or deletion.
From the tool's definition Tool name 'get_columns' and description 'Gets all columns for a sheet' indicate a retrieval operation with no modifications or side effects.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Gets all columns for a sheet. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Smartsheet MCP Server MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Smartsheet MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for get_columns: 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 Smartsheet MCP Server. Nothing to install.
get_columns 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_columns 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_columns. 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_columns is provided by the Smartsheet MCP Server MCP server (thomaswtwrt/smar-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
get_columns is one line of Smartsheet MCP Server's registry record.
The record carries the whole server: verified identity, auth posture, risk grade, every tool classified, recommended policy — re-checked continuously.
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