list_code_scanning_alerts
List code scanning alerts in a GitHub repository.
This record as markdown: /tools/github/list-code-scanning-alerts.md
What list_code_scanning_alerts does on GitHub
AI agents call list_code_scanning_alerts to retrieve information from GitHub without modifying anything. It is typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
| Parameter | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
ref | string | — | The Git reference for the results you want to list. |
repo | string | — | The name of the repository. |
owner | string | — | The owner of the repository. |
state | string | — | Filter code scanning alerts by state. Defaults to open |
severity | string | — | Filter code scanning alerts by severity |
tool_name | string | — | The name of the tool used for code scanning. |
Parameters from the server's own tool schema.
Why list_code_scanning_alerts is rated Low
This tool queries and retrieves code scanning alert information from a GitHub repository. It is a read-only operation that has no side effects—it does not create, modify, delete, or execute any actions. The low severity reflects minimal risk: exposure of this tool allows viewing existing security alerts but cannot cause harm beyond information disclosure.
From the tool's definition Tool name contains 'list' and description states 'List code scanning alerts'; retrieves alert data with no modification, deletion, or execution.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
The rule that runs list_code_scanning_alerts 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 list_code_scanning_alerts, this is the rule to start with:
list_code_scanning_alerts 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 GitHub, apply this rule, and every list_code_scanning_alerts call is checked against it from then on.
Questions about list_code_scanning_alerts
List code scanning alerts in a GitHub repository. It is categorised as a Read tool in the GitHub MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
list_code_scanning_alerts accepts 6 parameters: ref, repo, owner, state, severity, tool_name. The full parameter table on this page comes from the server's own tool schema.
Register the GitHub MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for list_code_scanning_alerts: 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.
list_code_scanning_alerts 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 list_code_scanning_alerts 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 list_code_scanning_alerts. 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.
list_code_scanning_alerts 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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