tooling-query · Salesforce MCP Server MCP: Risk & Policy

WHAT IT DOES

What tooling-query does on Salesforce MCP Server

AI agents invoke tooling-query to trigger actions in Salesforce MCP Server. What it does depends on the arguments the agent supplies, and its effects often reach beyond the immediate call — builds kicked off, notifications sent, workflows started.

WHY IT NEEDS A POLICY

Why tooling-query needs a policy

The Salesforce Tooling API goes beyond simple data retrieval: it supports operations on Apex code, test execution, metadata components, and development artifacts. While framed as a 'query', the Tooling API can trigger side effects such as running tests, modifying metadata, and interacting with debug logs. This places it firmly in Execute territory rather than a simple Read.

From the tool's definition "Execute a query against the Salesforce Tooling API" — the Tooling API is not a standard read-only SOQL interface; it allows execution of queries that can access and manipulate metadata, code, and configuration artifacts in Salesforce

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

Recommended rule Ready

Verdict

tooling-query Rate-limited

tooling-query stays usable, but rate-capped — a runaway agent can't fire it dozens of times a minute. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

View as policy code

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "tooling-query": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "tooling-query_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 10,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

RATE-LIMIT THIS TOOL →

Instant setup, no code required.

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: every tool call is checked against your rule before it reaches Salesforce MCP Server, so you can run agents against it safely.

FAQ

Questions about tooling-query

What does the tooling-query tool do? +

Execute a query against the Salesforce Tooling API. It is categorised as a Execute tool in the Salesforce MCP Server MCP Server, which means it can trigger actions or run processes. Use rate limits and argument validation.

How do I enforce a policy on tooling-query? +

Register the Salesforce MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for tooling-query: 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 Salesforce MCP Server. Nothing to install.

What risk level is tooling-query? +

tooling-query is a Execute tool with high risk. Execute tools should be rate-limited and have argument validation enabled.

Can I rate-limit tooling-query? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the tooling-query 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.

How do I block tooling-query completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for tooling-query. 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.

What MCP server provides tooling-query? +

tooling-query is provided by the Salesforce MCP Server MCP server (uday210/salesforce-mcp-server). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.