# 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-git/submodule

## Facts

- Tool: `submodule`
- Server: Git (`Dave-London/Pare`) — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-git.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": "submodule",
    "arguments": {}
  }
}
```

## Why submodule is rated Medium

While 'list' is a read operation, the tool's primary capability is managing submodules through add (creates new submodule references), update (modifies submodule state), sync (synchronizes submodule URLs), and deinit (removes submodule initialization). These are reversible modifications to repository configuration and state.

From the tool's own definition: "Tool description states it 'Manages git submodules' and explicitly supports 'add, update, sync, and deinit actions.' These are write operations that modify the .gitmodules file and repository structure."

## Use case

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

## Recommended policy (PolicyLayer)

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

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

## Other tools on Git (201)

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