env
Returns Go environment variables as structured JSON. Optionally request specific variables.
This record as markdown: /tools/io-github-dave-london-http/env.md
What env does on Http
AI agents call env to retrieve information from Http without modifying anything. It is typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
Why env is rated Low
This tool reads and exposes Go environment variables without modifying, executing, or destroying anything. It is a simple informational query with minimal blast radius even if misused, as environment variables are typically non-sensitive configuration data.
From the tool's definition Tool description states it 'Returns Go environment variables as structured JSON' — a retrieval operation with no side effects. The word 'Returns' indicates data querying, and environment variables are non-sensitive configuration metadata.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
The rule that runs env safely
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: it sits between your AI agents and Http, and checks every tool call against a rule you set before the call runs. Nothing changes on the server itself. For env, this is the rule to start with:
env is read-only, so it stays allowed. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.
The button opens the PolicyLayer dashboard: create your workspace, connect Http, apply this rule, and every env call is checked against it from then on.
Questions about env
Returns Go environment variables as structured JSON. Optionally request specific variables. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Http MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Http MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for env: 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 Http. Nothing to install.
env is a Read tool with low risk. Read-only tools are generally safe to allow by default.
Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the env 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 env. 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.
env is provided by the Http MCP server (@paretools/http). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
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