# submodule

Manages git submodules. Supports list (default), add, update, sync, and deinit actions. List returns structured submodule data with path, SHA, branch, and status.

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

## Facts

- Tool: `submodule`
- Server: Docker (`@paretools/docker`) — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-docker.md
- Install: `npx -y @paretools/docker`
- 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": "submodule",
    "arguments": {}
  }
}
```

## Why submodule is rated Medium

While the tool can modify repository structure via submodule operations, these changes are reversible—submodules can be re-added, re-synced, or re-initialized. The 'deinit' action doesn't permanently delete the submodule definition, only unregisters it locally. This qualifies as Write rather than Destructive. The 'list' action is read-only but not the primary function.

From the tool's own definition: "Tool description states it 'Manages git submodules' and supports 'add, update, sync, and deinit actions.' The 'add' action creates new submodules, 'update' and 'sync' modify existing submodule references and configurations, and 'deinit' removes submodule…"

## Use case

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

## Recommended policy (PolicyLayer)

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

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

## Other tools on Docker (201)

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