# git_checkout

Switch branches in the repository

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

## Facts

- Tool: `git_checkout`
- Server: Git (`@modelcontextprotocol/server-git`) — https://policylayer.com/tools/git.md
- Install: `npx -y @modelcontextprotocol/server-git`
- Homepage: https://github.com/modelcontextprotocol/server-git
- Risk category: Execute (High risk)
- Registry record: grade D, 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": "git_checkout",
    "arguments": {}
  }
}
```

## 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 own 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 signals: Changes working directory state

## Use case

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.

## Recommended policy (PolicyLayer)

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

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

## Other tools on Git (13)

- `git_branch` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/git/git-branch.md
- `git_diff` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/git/git-diff.md
- `git_diff_staged` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/git/git-diff-staged.md
- `git_diff_unstaged` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/git/git-diff-unstaged.md
- `git_log` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/git/git-log.md
- `git_show` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/git/git-show.md
- `git_status` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/git/git-status.md
- `git_add` — Write — https://policylayer.com/tools/git/git-add.md
- `git_clone` — Write — https://policylayer.com/tools/git/git-clone.md
- `git_commit` — Write — https://policylayer.com/tools/git/git-commit.md
- `git_create_branch` — Write — https://policylayer.com/tools/git/git-create-branch.md
- `git_init` — Write — https://policylayer.com/tools/git/git-init.md
- `git_reset` — Write — https://policylayer.com/tools/git/git-reset.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=git · API: https://policylayer.com/registry/api · Policy library: https://policylayer.com/policies/git