# format-check

Checks if files are formatted and returns a structured list of files needing formatting.

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

## Facts

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

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

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

## Why format-check is rated Low

The tool performs a read-only check operation that returns data about formatting status. It does not execute formatting changes, run arbitrary code, modify files, delete data, or commit financial transactions. The 'check' verb and 'returns' language confirm a passive information retrieval operation.

From the tool's own definition: "Tool description states it 'Checks if files are formatted and returns a structured list' — this is purely informational, querying the state of files without modifying them."

## Use case

AI agents call format-check to retrieve information from Cargo without modifying anything. It is typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.

## Recommended policy (PolicyLayer)

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

```json
{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "format-check": {}
  }
}
```

## 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