pr-diff

Returns file-level diff statistics for a pull request. Use full=true for patch content.

Part of the Github MCP server. Enforce policies on this tool with Intercept, the open-source MCP proxy.

// WHEN AI AGENTS USE THIS TOOL

AI agents use pr-diff to create or modify resources in Github. Write operations carry medium risk because an autonomous agent could trigger bulk unintended modifications. Rate limits prevent a single agent session from making hundreds of changes in rapid succession. Argument validation ensures the agent passes expected values.

// WHY ENFORCE A POLICY ON PR-DIFF

Without a policy, an AI agent could call pr-diff repeatedly, creating or modifying resources faster than any human could review. Intercept's rate limiting ensures write operations happen at a controlled pace, and argument validation catches malformed or unexpected inputs before they reach Github.

// RECOMMENDED POLICY

Write tools can modify data. A rate limit prevents runaway bulk operations from AI agents.

io-github-dave-london-github.yaml

tools:
  pr-diff:
    rules:
      - action: allow
        rate_limit:
          max: 30
          window: 60

See the full Github policy for all 27 tools.

// DETAILS

Tool Name pr-diff

Category Write

MCP Server Github MCP Server

Risk Level Medium

// MORE GITHUB TOOLS

Execute run-list Execute run-rerun Execute run-view Write api Write gist-create Write issue-close Write issue-comment Write issue-create

View all 27 tools →

// WHAT CAN GO WRONG

Agents calling write-class tools like pr-diff have been implicated in these attack patterns. Read the full case and prevention policy for each:

Browse the full MCP Attack Database →

// OTHER WRITE TOOLS ACROSS MCP SERVERS

Other tools in the Write risk category across the catalogue. The same policy patterns (rate-limit, validate) apply to each.

AbraFlexi contact_create AbraFlexi contact_update AbraFlexi evidence_create AbraFlexi evidence_update AbraFlexi invoice_issued_update AbraFlexi invoice_received_create

// RELATED READING

// FAQ

What does the pr-diff tool do? +

Returns file-level diff statistics for a pull request. Use full=true for patch content.. 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 pr-diff? +

Add a rule in your Intercept YAML policy under the tools section for pr-diff. You can allow, deny, rate-limit, or validate arguments. Then run Intercept as a proxy in front of the Github MCP server.

What risk level is pr-diff? +

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

Can I rate-limit pr-diff? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the pr-diff rule in your Intercept 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 pr-diff completely? +

Set action: deny in the Intercept policy for pr-diff. 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 pr-diff? +

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

pr-diff

Enforce policies on Github