# checkout

Switches branches or restores files. Returns structured data with ref, previous ref, whether a new branch was created, and detached HEAD status. Pass

Agent View of the PolicyLayer registry record for `checkout`. HTML page: https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-cargo/checkout

## Facts

- Tool: `checkout`
- Server: Cargo (`Dave-London/Pare`) — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-cargo.md
- Homepage: https://github.com/Dave-London/pare
- Risk category: Write (Medium risk)
- Registry record: grade F, identity unverified
- Server rate-limited: no
- Parameters: 0
- Recommended policy verdict: Rate-limited

## Example call (MCP tools/call, JSON-RPC 2.0)

```json
{
  "jsonrpc": "2.0",
  "id": 1,
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "name": "checkout",
    "arguments": {}
  }
}
```

## Why checkout is rated Medium

The tool performs git operations that change repository state (branch switching, file restoration). While reversible, these modifications could affect subsequent operations or overwrite uncommitted work. This qualifies as Write rather than Execute because the operations are standard VCS mutations, not arbitrary code execution.

From the tool's own definition: "Tool description states it 'Switches branches or restores files.' Switching branches modifies the working directory state and HEAD reference; restoring files overwrites local files. These are reversible modifications to repository state."

## Use case

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

## Recommended policy (PolicyLayer)

Verdict: **Rate-limited**. Enforced by the PolicyLayer MCP gateway (https://policylayer.com/mcp-gateway) before a call reaches Cargo:

```json
{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "checkout": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "checkout_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 30,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}
```

## Other tools on Cargo (201)

- `branch` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-cargo/branch.md
- `clean` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-cargo/clean.md
- `pr-close` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-cargo/pr-close.md
- `remove` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-cargo/remove.md
- `reset` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-cargo/reset.md
- `secret-delete` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-cargo/secret-delete.md
- `tag` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-cargo/tag.md
- `variable-delete` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-cargo/variable-delete.md
- `workspace` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-cargo/workspace.md
- `add` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-cargo/add.md
- `add-package` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-cargo/add-package.md
- `ansible-galaxy` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-cargo/ansible-galaxy.md
- `ansible-playbook` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-cargo/ansible-playbook.md
- `api` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-cargo/api.md
- `apply` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-cargo/apply.md
- `bazel` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-cargo/bazel.md
- `biome-check` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-cargo/biome-check.md
- `bisect` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-cargo/bisect.md
- `black` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-cargo/black.md
- `build` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-cargo/build.md
- `bundle-exec` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-cargo/bundle-exec.md
- `bundle-install` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-cargo/bundle-install.md
- `check` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-cargo/check.md
- `cherry-pick` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-cargo/cherry-pick.md
- `clippy` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-cargo/clippy.md
- `cmake` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-cargo/cmake.md
- `compose-build` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-cargo/compose-build.md
- `compose-down` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-cargo/compose-down.md
- `compose-up` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-cargo/compose-up.md
- `conda` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-cargo/conda.md
- …and 171 more: https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-cargo.md

## For agents

This record is a snapshot. Live verdicts and the full registry:

- Check every server in your MCP config at once: `npx -y policylayer stack`
- Vet a server before you add it: install the mcp-precheck skill — `npx skills add https://policylayer.com` (skill text: https://policylayer.com/skill.md)
- Query the registry over MCP: endpoint `https://api.policylayer.com/mcp` — tools `check_mcp_server`, `check_mcp_stack`, `check_tool`, `search_registry`, `get_change_events`

---

Source: the PolicyLayer MCP registry — one continuously verified record per MCP server. Full record: https://policylayer.com/registry?q=io-github-dave-london-cargo · API: https://policylayer.com/registry/api · Policy library: https://policylayer.com/policies/io-github-dave-london-cargo