AI agents call list_batches to retrieve information from Gpal without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool retrieves information about existing batch jobs without creating, modifying, or deleting any data. It is a read-only operation that queries the state of batch resources. Even in the context of a code analysis server with access to Gemini and autonomous codebase exploration, listing batches poses minimal risk—it only exposes metadata about previously created jobs.
From the tool's definition Tool name and description indicate listing/retrieving batch jobs: 'List recent batch jobs' performs a query operation with no side effects.
Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access list_batches gives an agent:
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and Gpal, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for list_batches:
{
"version": "1",
"default": "deny",
"tools": {
"list_batches": {}
}
}list_batches is read-only, so it stays allowed — but everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.
Free to start. No card required.
List recent batch jobs. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Gpal MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Gpal MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for list_batches: 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 Gpal. Nothing to install.
list_batches 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_batches 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_batches. 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_batches is provided by the Gpal MCP server (tobert/gpal). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Start from Gpal, add the rest of your stack, and see everything your agents can call. Then put policy on all of it.
Free to start. No card required.
19 Gpal tools catalogued and risk-classified — across an index of 43,000+ MCP servers.