# build_image

Build a Docker image from a Dockerfile

Agent View of the PolicyLayer registry record for `build_image`. HTML page: https://policylayer.com/tools/docker/build-image

## Facts

- Tool: `build_image`
- Server: Docker (`@ckreiling/mcp-server-docker`) — https://policylayer.com/tools/docker.md
- Install: `npx -y @ckreiling/mcp-server-docker`
- Homepage: https://github.com/ckreiling/mcp-server-docker
- Risk category: Execute (High risk)
- Registry record: grade F, identity verified
- 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": "build_image",
    "arguments": {}
  }
}
```

## Why build_image is rated High

This tool executes code (via Dockerfile instructions) whose effects depend on the Dockerfile contents provided as an argument. While not immediately destructive in the filesystem sense, it can run arbitrary commands, install packages, and trigger external operations during the build process. This places it in the Execute category with high severity due to the potential for code injection and resource consumption.

From the tool's own definition: "Tool name is 'build_image' with description 'Build a Docker image from a Dockerfile'. Building Docker images executes arbitrary code defined in a Dockerfile (RUN commands, shell scripts, etc.) in a containerized environment."

## Use case

AI agents invoke build_image to trigger actions in Docker. 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.

## Recommended policy (PolicyLayer)

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

```json
{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "build_image": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "build_image_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 10,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}
```

## Other tools on Docker (18)

- `recreate_container` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/docker/recreate-container.md
- `remove_container` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/docker/remove-container.md
- `remove_image` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/docker/remove-image.md
- `remove_network` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/docker/remove-network.md
- `remove_volume` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/docker/remove-volume.md
- `create_container` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/docker/create-container.md
- `pull_image` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/docker/pull-image.md
- `run_container` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/docker/run-container.md
- `start_container` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/docker/start-container.md
- `stop_container` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/docker/stop-container.md
- `fetch_container_logs` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/docker/fetch-container-logs.md
- `list_containers` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/docker/list-containers.md
- `list_images` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/docker/list-images.md
- `list_networks` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/docker/list-networks.md
- `list_volumes` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/docker/list-volumes.md
- `create_network` — Write — https://policylayer.com/tools/docker/create-network.md
- `create_volume` — Write — https://policylayer.com/tools/docker/create-volume.md
- `push_image` — Write — https://policylayer.com/tools/docker/push-image.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`

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