git_checkout

Switch branches in the repository

SERVERGit SOURCE@modelcontextprotocol/server-git

High RISK CLASS

Category Execute

Parameters 00 required

Recommended Rate-limitedsee the rule below

Registry record Grade D, identity verified Pull the record →

This record as markdown: /tools/git/git-checkout.md

WHAT IT DOES

What git_checkout does on Git

AI agents invoke git_checkout to trigger actions in Git. 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.

RISK

Why git_checkout is rated High

git_checkout changes the active branch and updates the working directory, which can overwrite uncommitted changes or alter the working tree state. It is not purely reading data, nor is it creating/updating persistent records — it executes a branch-switching operation with side effects on the filesystem and repository state.

From the tool's definition 'Switch branches in the repository' — checking out a branch modifies the working tree and HEAD pointer, triggering external filesystem operations beyond simple data reads or writes.

Risk signalsChanges working directory state

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

RECOMMENDED RULE

The rule that runs git_checkout safely

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: it sits between your AI agents and Git, and checks every tool call against a rule you set before the call runs. Nothing changes on the server itself. For git_checkout, this is the rule to start with:

git_checkout Rate-limited

git_checkout stays usable, but rate-capped: a runaway agent can't fire it dozens of times a minute. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

View as policy code

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "git_checkout": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "git_checkout_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 10,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

RATE-LIMIT THIS TOOL → Instant setup, no code required.

The button opens the PolicyLayer dashboard: create your workspace, connect Git, apply this rule, and every git_checkout call is checked against it from then on.

FAQ

Questions about git_checkout

What does the git_checkout tool do? +

Switch branches in the repository. It is categorised as a Execute tool in the Git MCP Server, which means it can trigger actions or run processes. Use rate limits and argument validation.

How do I enforce a policy on git_checkout? +

Register the Git MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for git_checkout: allow, deny, rate-limit, or require approval. Point your MCP client at the PolicyLayer proxy URL and the rule is enforced on every call, before it reaches Git. Nothing to install.

What risk level is git_checkout? +

git_checkout is a Execute tool with high risk. Execute tools should be rate-limited and have argument validation enabled.

Can I rate-limit git_checkout? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the git_checkout rule in your PolicyLayer policy. For example, setting max: 10 and window: 60 limits the tool to 10 calls per minute. Rate limits are tracked per agent session and reset automatically.

How do I block git_checkout completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for git_checkout. The AI agent will receive a policy violation error and cannot call the tool. You can also include a reason field to explain why the tool is blocked.

What MCP server provides git_checkout? +

git_checkout is provided by the Git MCP server (@modelcontextprotocol/server-git). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

KEEP EXPLORING

More on Git, and thousands of servers like it.

This server

All 14 Git tools → High-risk tools on this server →

Across the catalogue

deploy_git_repo on cPanel MCP Server → All high-risk MCP tools → The MCP Attack Database →

Guides

Govern code and CI agents →Agent sandbox →Least privilege for MCP →