# git_checkout

Switches to a branch or creates and switches to a new branch

Agent View of the PolicyLayer registry record for `git_checkout`. HTML page: https://policylayer.com/tools/0xshariq-github-mcp-server/git-checkout

## Facts

- Tool: `git_checkout`
- Server: GitHub MCP Server (`0xshariq/github-mcp-server`) — https://policylayer.com/tools/0xshariq-github-mcp-server.md
- Homepage: https://github.com/0xshariq/github-mcp-server
- Risk category: Write (Medium risk)
- Registry record: grade F, identity unverified
- Server rate-limited: no
- Parameters: 0
- Recommended policy verdict: Rate-limited

## Example call (MCP tools/call, JSON-RPC 2.0)

```json
{
  "jsonrpc": "2.0",
  "id": 1,
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "name": "git_checkout",
    "arguments": {}
  }
}
```

## Why git_checkout is rated Medium

git_checkout modifies repository state by creating or switching branches, which are write operations. While reversible (unlike destructive operations), this changes the local working state and can affect subsequent operations. Not Execute because it doesn't run arbitrary code or scripts—it performs a standard Git operation.

From the tool's own definition: "Tool description states 'Switches to a branch or creates and switches to a new branch'. The 'creates' action indicates data modification (creating new branch references), which is reversible via git operations."

## Use case

AI agents use git_checkout to create or update resources in GitHub MCP Server, usually the action step of a workflow, after the agent has gathered context. Every call changes real data in your GitHub MCP Server environment.

## Recommended policy (PolicyLayer)

Verdict: **Rate-limited**. Enforced by the PolicyLayer MCP gateway (https://policylayer.com/mcp-gateway) before a call reaches GitHub MCP Server:

```json
{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "git_checkout": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "git_checkout_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 30,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}
```

## Other tools on GitHub MCP Server (32)

- `git_clean` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/0xshariq-github-mcp-server/git-clean.md
- `git_remote_remove` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/0xshariq-github-mcp-server/git-remote-remove.md
- `git_remove_all` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/0xshariq-github-mcp-server/git-remove-all.md
- `git_reset` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/0xshariq-github-mcp-server/git-reset.md
- `git_tag` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/0xshariq-github-mcp-server/git-tag.md
- `git_dev` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/0xshariq-github-mcp-server/git-dev.md
- `git_rebase` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/0xshariq-github-mcp-server/git-rebase.md
- `git_sync` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/0xshariq-github-mcp-server/git-sync.md
- `git_bisect` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/0xshariq-github-mcp-server/git-bisect.md
- `git_blame` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/0xshariq-github-mcp-server/git-blame.md
- `git_diff` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/0xshariq-github-mcp-server/git-diff.md
- `git_log` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/0xshariq-github-mcp-server/git-log.md
- `git_remote_list` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/0xshariq-github-mcp-server/git-remote-list.md
- `git_status` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/0xshariq-github-mcp-server/git-status.md
- `git_add` — Write — https://policylayer.com/tools/0xshariq-github-mcp-server/git-add.md
- `git_add_all` — Write — https://policylayer.com/tools/0xshariq-github-mcp-server/git-add-all.md
- `git_branch` — Write — https://policylayer.com/tools/0xshariq-github-mcp-server/git-branch.md
- `git_cherry_pick` — Write — https://policylayer.com/tools/0xshariq-github-mcp-server/git-cherry-pick.md
- `git_clone` — Write — https://policylayer.com/tools/0xshariq-github-mcp-server/git-clone.md
- `git_commit` — Write — https://policylayer.com/tools/0xshariq-github-mcp-server/git-commit.md
- `git_flow` — Write — https://policylayer.com/tools/0xshariq-github-mcp-server/git-flow.md
- `git_init` — Write — https://policylayer.com/tools/0xshariq-github-mcp-server/git-init.md
- `git_merge` — Write — https://policylayer.com/tools/0xshariq-github-mcp-server/git-merge.md
- `git_pull` — Write — https://policylayer.com/tools/0xshariq-github-mcp-server/git-pull.md
- `git_push` — Write — https://policylayer.com/tools/0xshariq-github-mcp-server/git-push.md
- `git_quick_commit` — Write — https://policylayer.com/tools/0xshariq-github-mcp-server/git-quick-commit.md
- `git_release` — Write — https://policylayer.com/tools/0xshariq-github-mcp-server/git-release.md
- `git_remote_add` — Write — https://policylayer.com/tools/0xshariq-github-mcp-server/git-remote-add.md
- `git_remote_set_url` — Write — https://policylayer.com/tools/0xshariq-github-mcp-server/git-remote-set-url.md
- `git_remove` — Write — https://policylayer.com/tools/0xshariq-github-mcp-server/git-remove.md
- …and 2 more: https://policylayer.com/tools/0xshariq-github-mcp-server.md

## For agents

This record is a snapshot. Live verdicts and the full registry:

- Check every server in your MCP config at once: `npx -y policylayer stack`
- Vet a server before you add it: install the mcp-precheck skill — `npx skills add https://policylayer.com` (skill text: https://policylayer.com/skill.md)
- Query the registry over MCP: endpoint `https://api.policylayer.com/mcp` — tools `check_mcp_server`, `check_mcp_stack`, `check_tool`, `search_registry`, `get_change_events`

---

Source: the PolicyLayer MCP registry — one continuously verified record per MCP server. Full record: https://policylayer.com/registry?q=0xshariq-github-mcp-server · API: https://policylayer.com/registry/api · Policy library: https://policylayer.com/policies/0xshariq-github-mcp-server