bisect
Binary search for the commit that introduced a bug. Returns structured data with action taken, current commit, remaining steps estimate, and result.
This record as markdown: /tools/io-github-dave-london-cargo/bisect.md
What bisect does on Cargo
AI agents invoke bisect to trigger actions in Cargo. 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.
Why bisect is rated High
bisect runs git bisect operations which execute external git commands and potentially build/test operations against different commits. It triggers external operations (checking out commits, running tests) whose effects depend on arguments. While it primarily reads history, it changes repository state (HEAD) and runs arbitrary test commands, making it Execute.
From the tool's definition Binary search for the commit that introduced a bug... action taken, current commit, remaining steps estimate, and result
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
The rule that runs bisect safely
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: it sits between your AI agents and Cargo, and checks every tool call against a rule you set before the call runs. Nothing changes on the server itself. For bisect, this is the rule to start with:
bisect stays usable, but rate-capped: a runaway agent can't fire it dozens of times a minute. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.
The button opens the PolicyLayer dashboard: create your workspace, connect Cargo, apply this rule, and every bisect call is checked against it from then on.
Questions about bisect
Binary search for the commit that introduced a bug. Returns structured data with action taken, current commit, remaining steps estimate, and result. It is categorised as a Execute tool in the Cargo MCP Server, which means it can trigger actions or run processes. Use rate limits and argument validation.
Register the Cargo MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for bisect: 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 Cargo. Nothing to install.
bisect is a Execute tool with high risk. Execute tools should be rate-limited and have argument validation enabled.
Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the bisect 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 bisect. 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.
bisect is provided by the Cargo MCP server (Dave-London/Pare). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
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