git_diff_unstaged
Show unstaged changes in working directory
This record as markdown: /tools/git/git-diff-unstaged.md
What git_diff_unstaged does on Git
AI agents call git_diff_unstaged to retrieve information from Git without modifying anything. It is typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
Why git_diff_unstaged is rated Low
The tool retrieves and displays information about uncommitted changes in the working directory without creating, modifying, or deleting any data. This is a non-destructive, side-effect-free inspection operation characteristic of Read-category tools.
From the tool's definition Tool name and description indicate it 'Show[s] unstaged changes' — a read-only query of the working directory state with no modifications to files or repository.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
The rule that runs git_diff_unstaged 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_diff_unstaged, this is the rule to start with:
git_diff_unstaged is read-only, so it stays allowed. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.
The button opens the PolicyLayer dashboard: create your workspace, connect Git, apply this rule, and every git_diff_unstaged call is checked against it from then on.
Questions about git_diff_unstaged
Show unstaged changes in working directory. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Git MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Git MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for git_diff_unstaged: 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.
git_diff_unstaged is a Read tool with low risk. Read-only tools are generally safe to allow by default.
Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the git_diff_unstaged 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.
Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for git_diff_unstaged. 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.
git_diff_unstaged 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.
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