create_branch

Create a new branch in a GitHub repository

SERVERGitHub SOURCEoci:ghcr.io/github/github-mcp-server:1.3.0

Medium RISK CLASS

Category Write

Parameters 40 required

Recommended Rate-limitedsee the rule below

Registry record Grade D, identity verified Pull the record →

This record as markdown: /tools/github/create-branch.md

WHAT IT DOES

What create_branch does on GitHub

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

Parameter	Type	Required	Description
`repo`	string	—	Repository name
`owner`	string	—	Repository owner
`branch`	string	—	Name for new branch
`from_branch`	string	—	Source branch (defaults to repo default)

Parameters from the server's own tool schema.

RISK

Why create_branch is rated Medium

Creating a branch is a reversible write operation that modifies repository state by adding a new ref, but does not delete data, execute arbitrary code, or move money. The severity is medium because a malicious actor could use this to pollute a repository with many branches or create branches for launching attacks, but the operation itself is non-destructive and can be undone.

From the tool's definition Tool name 'create_branch' and description 'Create a new branch in a GitHub repository' indicate a write operation that creates new data in a repository.

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

RECOMMENDED RULE

The rule that runs create_branch safely

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

create_branch Rate-limited

create_branch 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": {
    "create_branch": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "create_branch_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 GitHub, apply this rule, and every create_branch call is checked against it from then on.

FAQ

Questions about create_branch

What does the create_branch tool do? +

Create a new branch in a GitHub repository. It is categorised as a Write tool in the GitHub MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.

What parameters does create_branch accept? +

create_branch accepts 4 parameters: repo, owner, branch, from_branch. The full parameter table on this page comes from the server's own tool schema.

How do I enforce a policy on create_branch? +

Register the GitHub MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for create_branch: 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 GitHub. Nothing to install.

What risk level is create_branch? +

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

Can I rate-limit create_branch? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the create_branch 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 create_branch completely? +

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

create_branch is provided by the GitHub MCP server (oci:ghcr.io/github/github-mcp-server:1.3.0). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

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