compose-down
Stops Docker Compose services and returns structured status.
This record as markdown: /tools/io-github-dave-london-github/compose-down.md
What compose-down does on Github
AI agents invoke compose-down 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.
Why compose-down is rated High
This tool executes a docker compose down command, which stops and removes running containers. While it can be partially reversible (services can be restarted), it disrupts live running services and may remove containers/networks, making it an Execute action with high severity due to potential service outages.
From the tool's definition 'Stops Docker Compose services' — actively terminates running services via Docker Compose
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
The rule that runs compose-down 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 compose-down, this is the rule to start with:
compose-down 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.
The button opens the PolicyLayer dashboard: create your workspace, connect Github, apply this rule, and every compose-down call is checked against it from then on.
Questions about compose-down
Stops Docker Compose services and returns structured status. It is categorised as a Execute tool in the Github MCP Server, which means it can trigger actions or run processes. Use rate limits and argument validation.
Register the Github MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for compose-down: 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.
compose-down is a Execute tool with high risk. Execute tools should be rate-limited and have argument validation enabled.
Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the compose-down 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.
Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for compose-down. 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.
compose-down 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.
More on Github, and thousands of servers like it.
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