# submodule

Manages git submodules. Supports list (default), add, update, sync, and deinit actions. List returns structured submodule data with path, SHA, branch, and status.

Agent View of the PolicyLayer registry record for `submodule`. HTML page: https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-github/submodule

## Facts

- Tool: `submodule`
- Server: Github (`@paretools/github`) — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-github.md
- Install: `npx -y @paretools/github`
- Homepage: https://github.com/Dave-London/Pare
- Risk category: Write (Medium risk)
- Registry record: grade F, identity unverified
- Server rate-limited: no
- Parameters: 0
- Recommended policy verdict: Rate-limited

## Example call (MCP tools/call, JSON-RPC 2.0)

```json
{
  "jsonrpc": "2.0",
  "id": 1,
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "name": "submodule",
    "arguments": {}
  }
}
```

## Why submodule is rated Medium

Submodule management is write-capable (modifies .gitmodules and repository configuration), but 'deinit' stops short of irreversible deletion of actual code. The 'list' action is read-only, but the tool enables write operations. Severity is medium because misuse could corrupt repository state or introduce unintended dependencies, but changes are typically reversible via git history.

From the tool's own definition: "Tool description explicitly lists actions including 'add, update, sync, and deinit' — all operations that modify repository structure. 'Add' and 'update' create or modify submodule references; 'sync' and 'deinit' alter submodule state."

## Use case

AI agents use submodule to create or update resources in Github, usually the action step of a workflow, after the agent has gathered context. Every call changes real data in your Github environment.

## Recommended policy (PolicyLayer)

Verdict: **Rate-limited**. Enforced by the PolicyLayer MCP gateway (https://policylayer.com/mcp-gateway) before a call reaches Github:

```json
{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "submodule": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "submodule_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 30,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}
```

## Other tools on Github (201)

- `branch` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-github/branch.md
- `clean` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-github/clean.md
- `remove` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-github/remove.md
- `reset` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-github/reset.md
- `secret-delete` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-github/secret-delete.md
- `stash` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-github/stash.md
- `tag` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-github/tag.md
- `variable-delete` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-github/variable-delete.md
- `workspace` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-github/workspace.md
- `worktree` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-github/worktree.md
- `add` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-github/add.md
- `add-package` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-github/add-package.md
- `ansible-galaxy` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-github/ansible-galaxy.md
- `ansible-playbook` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-github/ansible-playbook.md
- `api` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-github/api.md
- `apply` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-github/apply.md
- `audit` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-github/audit.md
- `bazel` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-github/bazel.md
- `biome-check` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-github/biome-check.md
- `bisect` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-github/bisect.md
- `black` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-github/black.md
- `build` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-github/build.md
- `bundle-exec` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-github/bundle-exec.md
- `bundle-install` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-github/bundle-install.md
- `check` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-github/check.md
- `cherry-pick` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-github/cherry-pick.md
- `clippy` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-github/clippy.md
- `cmake` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-github/cmake.md
- `compose-build` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-github/compose-build.md
- `compose-down` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-github/compose-down.md
- …and 171 more: https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-github.md

## For agents

This record is a snapshot. Live verdicts and the full registry:

- Check every server in your MCP config at once: `npx -y policylayer stack`
- Vet a server before you add it: install the mcp-precheck skill — `npx skills add https://policylayer.com` (skill text: https://policylayer.com/skill.md)
- Query the registry over MCP: endpoint `https://api.policylayer.com/mcp` — tools `check_mcp_server`, `check_mcp_stack`, `check_tool`, `search_registry`, `get_change_events`

---

Source: the PolicyLayer MCP registry — one continuously verified record per MCP server. Full record: https://policylayer.com/registry?q=io-github-dave-london-github · API: https://policylayer.com/registry/api · Policy library: https://policylayer.com/policies/io-github-dave-london-github