yq

Processes and transforms YAML, JSON, XML, TOML, and properties files using yq expressions. Accepts input from a file path or inline string. Returns the transformed result.

SERVERGit SOURCEDave-London/Pare

High RISK CLASS

Category Execute

Parameters 00 required

Recommended Rate-limitedsee the rule below

Registry record Grade F, identity unverified Pull the record →

This record as markdown: /tools/io-github-dave-london-git/yq.md

WHAT IT DOES

What yq does on Git

AI agents invoke yq to trigger actions in Git. 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.

RISK

Why yq is rated High

yq is a command-line tool that evaluates expressions against structured data files. Since it accepts arbitrary yq expressions and can read/write/transform files, it effectively executes expressions that could modify files, extract secrets, or be used to overwrite configuration.

From the tool's definition 'Processes and transforms YAML, JSON, XML, TOML, and properties files using yq expressions' — executes arbitrary yq expressions against files or inline strings

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

RECOMMENDED RULE

The rule that runs yq safely

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: it sits between your AI agents and Git, and checks every tool call against a rule you set before the call runs. Nothing changes on the server itself. For yq, this is the rule to start with:

yq Rate-limited

yq 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.

View as policy code

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "yq": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "yq_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 10,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

RATE-LIMIT THIS TOOL → Instant setup, no code required.

The button opens the PolicyLayer dashboard: create your workspace, connect Git, apply this rule, and every yq call is checked against it from then on.

FAQ

Questions about yq

What does the yq tool do? +

Processes and transforms YAML, JSON, XML, TOML, and properties files using yq expressions. Accepts input from a file path or inline string. Returns the transformed result. It is categorised as a Execute tool in the Git MCP Server, which means it can trigger actions or run processes. Use rate limits and argument validation.

How do I enforce a policy on yq? +

Register the Git MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for yq: 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 Git. Nothing to install.

What risk level is yq? +

yq is a Execute tool with high risk. Execute tools should be rate-limited and have argument validation enabled.

Can I rate-limit yq? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the yq 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.

How do I block yq completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for yq. 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.

What MCP server provides yq? +

yq is provided by the Git MCP server (Dave-London/Pare). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

KEEP EXPLORING

More on Git, and thousands of servers like it.

This server

All 202 Git tools → High-risk tools on this server →

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All high-risk MCP tools → The MCP Attack Database →

Guides

Govern code and CI agents →Agent sandbox →Least privilege for MCP →