# get_file_history

Gets commit history for a specific file

Agent View of the PolicyLayer registry record for `get_file_history`. HTML page: https://policylayer.com/tools/ahmedbhl-mcp-server-gitlab/get-file-history

## Facts

- Tool: `get_file_history`
- Server: GitLab MCP Server (`ahmedbhl/mcp-server-gitlab`) — https://policylayer.com/tools/ahmedbhl-mcp-server-gitlab.md
- Homepage: https://github.com/ahmedbhl/mcp-server-gitlab
- Risk category: Read (Low risk)
- Registry record: grade B, identity unverified
- Server rate-limited: no
- Parameters: 0
- Recommended policy verdict: Allowed

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

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

## Why get_file_history is rated Low

This tool queries and retrieves historical data about a file's commits without modifying, executing, or deleting anything. It is a read-only operation that follows the pattern of other data retrieval tools on this server (get_file_content, get_commit_details, etc.). The blast radius is minimal as it only exposes version control history.

From the tool's own definition: "Tool name is 'get_file_history' and description states 'Gets commit history for a specific file' - a retrieval operation with no side effects."

## Use case

AI agents call get_file_history to retrieve information from GitLab MCP Server without modifying anything. It is typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.

## Recommended policy (PolicyLayer)

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

```json
{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "get_file_history": {}
  }
}
```

## Other tools on GitLab MCP Server (18)

- `compare_branches` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/ahmedbhl-mcp-server-gitlab/compare-branches.md
- `get_commit_details` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/ahmedbhl-mcp-server-gitlab/get-commit-details.md
- `get_commit_diff` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/ahmedbhl-mcp-server-gitlab/get-commit-diff.md
- `get_file_content` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/ahmedbhl-mcp-server-gitlab/get-file-content.md
- `get_my_issues` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/ahmedbhl-mcp-server-gitlab/get-my-issues.md
- `get_my_merge_requests` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/ahmedbhl-mcp-server-gitlab/get-my-merge-requests.md
- `get_my_projects` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/ahmedbhl-mcp-server-gitlab/get-my-projects.md
- `get_project_branches` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/ahmedbhl-mcp-server-gitlab/get-project-branches.md
- `get_project_commits` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/ahmedbhl-mcp-server-gitlab/get-project-commits.md
- `get_project_files` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/ahmedbhl-mcp-server-gitlab/get-project-files.md
- `get_project_info` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/ahmedbhl-mcp-server-gitlab/get-project-info.md
- `get_project_issues` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/ahmedbhl-mcp-server-gitlab/get-project-issues.md
- `get_project_merge_requests` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/ahmedbhl-mcp-server-gitlab/get-project-merge-requests.md
- `get_project_pipelines` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/ahmedbhl-mcp-server-gitlab/get-project-pipelines.md
- `get_user_info` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/ahmedbhl-mcp-server-gitlab/get-user-info.md
- `search_files_in_project` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/ahmedbhl-mcp-server-gitlab/search-files-in-project.md
- `search_projects` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/ahmedbhl-mcp-server-gitlab/search-projects.md
- `create_issue` — Write — https://policylayer.com/tools/ahmedbhl-mcp-server-gitlab/create-issue.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=ahmedbhl-mcp-server-gitlab · API: https://policylayer.com/registry/api · Policy library: https://policylayer.com/policies/ahmedbhl-mcp-server-gitlab