---
title: "Can Claude MCP tools be restricted to read-only access?"  
description: "Can Claude MCP tools be restricted to read-only access?"  
author: "Katherine Sullivan"  
published: 2026-10-15  
updated: 2026-10-15  
canonical: https://www.mindstick.com/forum/162394/can-claude-mcp-tools-be-restricted-to-read-only-access  
category: "MCP Integrations"  
tags: ["Claude", "mcp", "AI Security"]  
reading_time: 1 minute  

---

# Can Claude MCP tools be restricted to read-only access?

I’m looking at connecting Claude to an MCP server that can access internal project data. For our first trial, I’d like Claude to inspect records but not create, update, or delete anything.

Can a tool’s permissions be limited to **read-only access** at the MCP server or client level, and does that restriction remain in place across sessions? I’m curious what controls people have actually tested, rather than relying on a prompt that simply asks the model not to make changes.


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Original Source: https://www.mindstick.com/forum/162394/can-claude-mcp-tools-be-restricted-to-read-only-access

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