archive

Creates an archive of files from a git repository. Supports tar, tar.gz, and zip formats. Returns structured data with success status, format, output file, and treeish.

SERVERGithub SOURCE@paretools/github

Medium RISK CLASS

Category Write

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-github/archive.md

WHAT IT DOES

What archive does on Github

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

RISK

Why archive is rated Medium

The tool creates archive files (tar, tar.gz, zip) from repository contents, which is a reversible write operation that produces new data artifacts. While it doesn't modify the original repository, it does create new files on the filesystem.

From the tool's definition Tool description states it "Creates an archive of files from a git repository" and "Returns structured data with success status, format, output file, and treeish." The verb 'Creates' indicates a write operation that generates new files.

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

RECOMMENDED RULE

The rule that runs archive safely

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

archive Rate-limited

archive stays usable, but capped: an agent stuck in a loop can't make hundreds of changes a minute. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

View as policy code

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "archive": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "archive_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 30,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

LIMIT THIS TOOL → Instant setup, no code required.

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

FAQ

Questions about archive

What does the archive tool do? +

Creates an archive of files from a git repository. Supports tar, tar.gz, and zip formats. Returns structured data with success status, format, output file, and treeish. It is categorised as a Write tool in the Github MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.

How do I enforce a policy on archive? +

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

What risk level is archive? +

archive is a Write tool with medium risk. Write tools should be rate-limited to prevent accidental bulk modifications.

Can I rate-limit archive? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the archive 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 archive completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for archive. 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 archive? +

archive is provided by the Github MCP server (@paretools/github). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

KEEP EXPLORING

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