# checkout

Switches branches or restores files. Returns structured data with ref, previous ref, whether a new branch was created, and detached HEAD status. Pass

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

## Facts

- Tool: `checkout`
- Server: Http (`@paretools/http`) — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-http.md
- Install: `npx -y @paretools/http`
- 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": "checkout",
    "arguments": {}
  }
}
```

## Why checkout is rated Medium

The checkout operation modifies the repository state by switching branches or restoring files. While these actions are reversible (you can checkout another branch or restore to a different state), they constitute Write operations as they alter the current working state. The severity is medium because misuse could discard local changes or move to an unintended branch, but the effects are generally recoverable.

From the tool's own definition: "Tool performs 'checkout' operations that 'switches branches or restores files', which are write operations that modify the working directory state. The ability to restore files and switch branches represents reversible data/state modifications."

## Use case

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

## Recommended policy (PolicyLayer)

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

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

## Other tools on Http (201)

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