variable-set

Sets a repository, organization, or environment GitHub Actions variable. Variables are not secret and may be visible in logs.

SERVERGithub SOURCE@paretools/github

Medium RISK CLASS

Category Write

Parameters 00 required

Recommended Rate-limitedsee the rule below

Registry record Grade F, identity unverified Pull the record →

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

WHAT IT DOES

What variable-set does on Github

AI agents use variable-set 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.

RISK

Why variable-set is rated Medium

This tool modifies GitHub Actions configuration by writing variables, which is a reversible change (variables can be updated or removed later). It does not execute code, delete data irreversibly, or move money.

From the tool's definition Tool description states it 'Sets a repository, organization, or environment GitHub Actions variable', which is a create/modify operation.

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

RECOMMENDED RULE

The rule that runs variable-set 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 variable-set, this is the rule to start with:

variable-set Rate-limited

variable-set stays usable, but capped: an agent stuck in a loop can't make hundreds of changes a minute. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

View as policy code

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "variable-set": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "variable-set_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 30,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

LIMIT THIS TOOL → Instant setup, no code required.

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

FAQ

Questions about variable-set

What does the variable-set tool do? +

Sets a repository, organization, or environment GitHub Actions variable. Variables are not secret and may be visible in logs. 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 variable-set? +

Register the Github MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for variable-set: 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 variable-set? +

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

Can I rate-limit variable-set? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the variable-set 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 variable-set completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for variable-set. 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 variable-set? +

variable-set 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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