format-check
Checks if files are formatted and returns a structured list of files needing formatting.
This record as markdown: /tools/io-github-dave-london-http/format-check.md
What format-check does on Http
AI agents call format-check 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 format-check is rated Low
This tool performs checking/inspection operations and returns structured results about file formatting status. It has no side effects, does not modify files, execute code, delete data, or move money. It is a diagnostic/query tool that reads file properties and reports findings, fitting the Read category with low severity.
From the tool's definition The tool name 'format-check' and description 'Checks if files are formatted and returns a structured list of files needing formatting' indicate read-only operations that query file formatting status without modifying data.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
The rule that runs format-check 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 format-check, this is the rule to start with:
format-check 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 format-check call is checked against it from then on.
Questions about format-check
Checks if files are formatted and returns a structured list of files needing formatting. 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 format-check: 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.
format-check 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 format-check 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 format-check. 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.
format-check 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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