git_clone

Clone a repository to local filesystem

SERVERGit SOURCE@modelcontextprotocol/server-git

Medium RISK CLASS

Category Write

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-clone.md

WHAT IT DOES

What git_clone does on Git

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

RISK

Why git_clone is rated Medium

Cloning writes new files to the local filesystem but is reversible (the cloned directory can be deleted). It does not delete or overwrite existing data, execute arbitrary code, or involve finances. The blast radius is medium since it could pull a large or malicious repository onto the local disk.

From the tool's definition Clone a repository to local filesystem

Risk signalsDownloads entire repository contents

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

RECOMMENDED RULE

The rule that runs git_clone 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_clone, this is the rule to start with:

git_clone Rate-limited

git_clone stays usable, but capped: an agent stuck in a loop can't make hundreds of changes 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_clone": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "git_clone_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 30,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

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_clone call is checked against it from then on.

FAQ

Questions about git_clone

What does the git_clone tool do? +

Clone a repository to local filesystem. It is categorised as a Write tool in the Git MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.

How do I enforce a policy on git_clone? +

Register the Git MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for git_clone: 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_clone? +

git_clone is a Write tool with medium risk. Write tools should be rate-limited to prevent accidental bulk modifications.

Can I rate-limit git_clone? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the git_clone 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_clone completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for git_clone. 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_clone? +

git_clone 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

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