# github_set_variable

Create / update a repo Actions variable (non-secret).

Agent View of the PolicyLayer registry record for `github_set_variable`. HTML page: https://policylayer.com/tools/dkeeno-github-mcp-server/github-set-variable

## Facts

- Tool: `github_set_variable`
- Server: Github (`dkeeno/github-mcp-server`) — https://policylayer.com/tools/dkeeno-github-mcp-server.md
- Homepage: https://github.com/dkeeno/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": "github_set_variable",
    "arguments": {}
  }
}
```

## Why github_set_variable is rated Medium

This tool modifies repository configuration by creating or updating Actions variables. While reversible (variables can be deleted or overwritten), it affects CI/CD pipeline behavior and could cause workflows to behave unexpectedly if malicious values are injected. It does not delete data (thus not Destructive), does not execute code directly (thus not Execute), and does not move money (thus not Financial).

From the tool's own definition: "Creates or updates repository Actions variables as evidenced by 'Create / update a repo Actions variable'. This is a modification operation that persists state in GitHub Actions configuration."

## Use case

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

## Recommended policy (PolicyLayer)

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

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

## Other tools on Github (68)

- `github_delete_repo` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/dkeeno-github-mcp-server/github-delete-repo.md
- `github_delete_secret` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/dkeeno-github-mcp-server/github-delete-secret.md
- `github_remove_branch_protection` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/dkeeno-github-mcp-server/github-remove-branch-protection.md
- `github_cancel_workflow_run` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/dkeeno-github-mcp-server/github-cancel-workflow-run.md
- `github_rerun_workflow` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/dkeeno-github-mcp-server/github-rerun-workflow.md
- `github_trigger_workflow` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/dkeeno-github-mcp-server/github-trigger-workflow.md
- `github_transfer_repo` — Financial — https://policylayer.com/tools/dkeeno-github-mcp-server/github-transfer-repo.md
- `github_analyze_workflow_failure` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/dkeeno-github-mcp-server/github-analyze-workflow-failure.md
- `github_audit_repo` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/dkeeno-github-mcp-server/github-audit-repo.md
- `github_check_token_scopes` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/dkeeno-github-mcp-server/github-check-token-scopes.md
- `github_get_branch_protection` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/dkeeno-github-mcp-server/github-get-branch-protection.md
- `github_get_file` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/dkeeno-github-mcp-server/github-get-file.md
- `github_get_issue` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/dkeeno-github-mcp-server/github-get-issue.md
- `github_get_pr` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/dkeeno-github-mcp-server/github-get-pr.md
- `github_get_profile_stats` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/dkeeno-github-mcp-server/github-get-profile-stats.md
- `github_get_repo` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/dkeeno-github-mcp-server/github-get-repo.md
- `github_get_repo_stats` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/dkeeno-github-mcp-server/github-get-repo-stats.md
- `github_get_traffic` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/dkeeno-github-mcp-server/github-get-traffic.md
- `github_get_user` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/dkeeno-github-mcp-server/github-get-user.md
- `github_get_workflow_logs` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/dkeeno-github-mcp-server/github-get-workflow-logs.md
- `github_get_workflow_run` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/dkeeno-github-mcp-server/github-get-workflow-run.md
- `github_list_issues` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/dkeeno-github-mcp-server/github-list-issues.md
- `github_list_prs` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/dkeeno-github-mcp-server/github-list-prs.md
- `github_list_releases` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/dkeeno-github-mcp-server/github-list-releases.md
- `github_list_repos` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/dkeeno-github-mcp-server/github-list-repos.md
- `github_list_secrets` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/dkeeno-github-mcp-server/github-list-secrets.md
- `github_list_security_alerts` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/dkeeno-github-mcp-server/github-list-security-alerts.md
- `github_list_stargazers` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/dkeeno-github-mcp-server/github-list-stargazers.md
- `github_list_variables` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/dkeeno-github-mcp-server/github-list-variables.md
- `github_list_workflow_runs` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/dkeeno-github-mcp-server/github-list-workflow-runs.md
- …and 38 more: https://policylayer.com/tools/dkeeno-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=dkeeno-github-mcp-server · API: https://policylayer.com/registry/api · Policy library: https://policylayer.com/policies/dkeeno-github-mcp-server