ruff-format
Runs ruff format and returns structured results (files changed, file list).
This record as markdown: /tools/io-github-dave-london-github/ruff-format.md
What ruff-format does on Github
AI agents invoke ruff-format 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 ruff-format is rated High
The tool executes an external formatting process (ruff format) that modifies source files. While formatting is reversible in principle, it runs code/commands and changes file contents, placing it in the Execute category. The blast radius is medium since it only reformats code files rather than deleting data or triggering financial operations.
From the tool's definition 'Runs ruff format' — actively executes the ruff formatter tool, modifying files in place
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
The rule that runs ruff-format 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 ruff-format, this is the rule to start with:
ruff-format 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 ruff-format call is checked against it from then on.
Questions about ruff-format
Runs ruff format and returns structured results (files changed, file list). 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 ruff-format: 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.
ruff-format 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 ruff-format 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 ruff-format. 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.
ruff-format 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.
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