request
Makes an HTTP request via curl and returns structured response data (status, headers, body, timing).
This record as markdown: /tools/io-github-dave-london-github/request.md
What request does on Github
AI agents invoke request 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 request is rated High
This tool executes arbitrary HTTP requests via curl, meaning it can trigger any external operation depending on the URL and method provided. It could be used to make GET, POST, PUT, DELETE, or other HTTP calls to any endpoint, including destructive or financial APIs. The blast radius is high because an AI agent could use it to interact with any web service.
From the tool's definition Makes an HTTP request via curl and returns structured response data (status, headers, body, timing)
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
The rule that runs request 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 request, this is the rule to start with:
request 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 request call is checked against it from then on.
Questions about request
Makes an HTTP request via curl and returns structured response data (status, headers, body, timing). 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 request: 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.
request 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 request 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 request. 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.
request 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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