search

Searches the npm registry for packages matching a query.

SERVERGithub SOURCE@paretools/github

Low RISK CLASS

Category Read

Parameters 00 required

Recommended Allowedsee the rule below

Registry record Grade F, identity unverified Pull the record →

This record as markdown: /tools/io-github-dave-london-github/search.md

WHAT IT DOES

What search does on Github

AI agents call search to retrieve information from Github without modifying anything. It is typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.

RISK

Why search is rated Low

This tool retrieves data from the npm registry in response to a search query. It has no side effects, does not modify any data, does not execute code, and does not commit financial or destructive operations. It is a straightforward read operation that queries an external service and returns results.

From the tool's definition Tool performs a search operation on the npm registry for packages matching a query. The description uses the word 'Searches' and indicates it retrieves package information without modification or execution.

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

RECOMMENDED RULE

The rule that runs search 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 search, this is the rule to start with:

search Allowed

search is read-only, so it stays allowed. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

View as policy code

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "search": {}
  }
}

ALLOW ONLY THIS TOOL → Instant setup, no code required.

The button opens the PolicyLayer dashboard: create your workspace, connect Github, apply this rule, and every search call is checked against it from then on.

FAQ

Questions about search

What does the search tool do? +

Searches the npm registry for packages matching a query. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Github MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.

How do I enforce a policy on search? +

Register the Github MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for search: 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 search? +

search is a Read tool with low risk. Read-only tools are generally safe to allow by default.

Can I rate-limit search? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the search 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 search completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for search. 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 search? +

search 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

All 202 Github tools →

Across the catalogue

search_torrents on M-Team MCP Server →aiva_search_customers on AIVA MCP Server →search_channel on YouTube MCP Server →hybrid_search on Azure AI Agent Service + Azure AI Search MCP Server → The MCP Attack Database →

Guides

Roll out MCP under one policy →Data exfiltration →MCP token cost →