# bisect

Binary search for the commit that introduced a bug. Returns structured data with action taken, current commit, remaining steps estimate, and result.

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

## Facts

- Tool: `bisect`
- Server: Github (`@paretools/github`) — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-github.md
- Install: `npx -y @paretools/github`
- Homepage: https://github.com/Dave-London/Pare
- Risk category: Execute (High 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": "bisect",
    "arguments": {}
  }
}
```

## Why bisect is rated High

git bisect executes a binary search process over the commit history, running commands and checking out different commits as part of the search. This is an active execution operation that traverses repository state, not merely reading data passively. While it doesn't permanently destroy data, it does manipulate working tree state and runs operations that depend on arguments.

From the tool's own definition: "Binary search for the commit that introduced a bug... action taken, current commit, remaining steps estimate"

## Use case

AI agents invoke bisect to trigger actions in Github. 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.

## Recommended policy (PolicyLayer)

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

```json
{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "bisect": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "bisect_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 10,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}
```

## Other tools on Github (201)

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