gem-install

Installs a Ruby gem using

SERVERGithub SOURCE@paretools/github

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-github/gem-install.md

WHAT IT DOES

What gem-install does on Github

AI agents invoke gem-install 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.

RISK

Why gem-install is rated High

Installing a Ruby gem executes external code from a package registry and modifies the system by adding new software. This can introduce malicious packages, alter runtime environments, and has significant blast radius if an AI agent installs a malicious or incorrect gem. The description is truncated ('Installs a Ruby gem using') but the action is clear enough to classify as Execute with high severity.

From the tool's definition 'gem-install' - Installs a Ruby gem, which executes package installation on the system, running external code and modifying the system environment

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

RECOMMENDED RULE

The rule that runs gem-install 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 gem-install, this is the rule to start with:

gem-install Rate-limited

gem-install 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": {
    "gem-install": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "gem-install_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 Github, apply this rule, and every gem-install call is checked against it from then on.

FAQ

Questions about gem-install

What does the gem-install tool do? +

Installs a Ruby gem using. 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.

How do I enforce a policy on gem-install? +

Register the Github MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for gem-install: 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 gem-install? +

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

Can I rate-limit gem-install? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the gem-install 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 gem-install completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for gem-install. 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 gem-install? +

gem-install 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

More on Github, and thousands of servers like it.

This server

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Guides

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