shellcheck
Runs ShellCheck (shell script linter) and returns structured diagnostics (file, line, column, rule, severity, message).
This record as markdown: /tools/io-github-dave-london-docker/shellcheck.md
What shellcheck does on Docker
AI agents invoke shellcheck to trigger actions in Docker. 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 shellcheck is rated High
The tool executes the ShellCheck binary as a subprocess to analyze shell scripts. While it is read-only in intent (linting/static analysis), it actively runs an external program whose behavior depends on the arguments passed. It has no write or destructive effects on data, but falls under Execute due to running an external process.
From the tool's definition 'Runs ShellCheck (shell script linter)' — actively executes an external process against provided input
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
The rule that runs shellcheck safely
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: it sits between your AI agents and Docker, and checks every tool call against a rule you set before the call runs. Nothing changes on the server itself. For shellcheck, this is the rule to start with:
shellcheck 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 Docker, apply this rule, and every shellcheck call is checked against it from then on.
Questions about shellcheck
Runs ShellCheck (shell script linter) and returns structured diagnostics (file, line, column, rule, severity, message). It is categorised as a Execute tool in the Docker MCP Server, which means it can trigger actions or run processes. Use rate limits and argument validation.
Register the Docker MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for shellcheck: 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 Docker. Nothing to install.
shellcheck 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 shellcheck 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 shellcheck. 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.
shellcheck is provided by the Docker MCP server (@paretools/docker). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
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