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generate

Runs go generate directives in Go source files. WARNING: may execute untrusted code.

How to control generate ↓

What generate does on Http

AI agents invoke generate to trigger actions in Http. What it does depends on the arguments the agent supplies, and its effects often reach beyond the immediate call — builds kicked off, notifications sent, workflows started.

High Risk

Why generate needs a policy

go generate executes arbitrary shell commands embedded in Go source files as directives. The explicit warning about untrusted code execution confirms this is an Execute-class tool with critical severity, as an AI agent could trigger arbitrary code execution on the host system.

From the tool's definition 'Runs go generate directives in Go source files. WARNING: may execute untrusted code.'

Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access generate gives an agent:

How to control generate

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and Http, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for generate:

policy.json
{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "generate": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "generate_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 10,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

generate stays usable, but rate-capped — a runaway agent can't fire it dozens of times a minute. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

  1. Create a free account and register Http — nothing to install.
  2. Add this policy — paste it, or build it visually.
  3. Point your MCP client (Claude, Cursor, anything) at your gateway URL.
RATE-LIMIT THIS TOOL →

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Related tools and policies

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Questions about generate

What does the generate tool do? +

Runs go generate directives in Go source files. WARNING: may execute untrusted code. It is categorised as a Execute tool in the Http MCP Server, which means it can trigger actions or run processes. Use rate limits and argument validation.

How do I enforce a policy on generate? +

Register the Http MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for generate: 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.

What risk level is generate? +

generate is a Execute tool with high risk. Execute tools should be rate-limited and have argument validation enabled.

Can I rate-limit generate? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the generate 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 generate completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for generate. 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 generate? +

generate 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.

Enforce policy on every Http tool call.

Start from Http, add the rest of your stack, and see everything your agents can call. Then put policy on all of it.

Free to start. No card required.

202 Http tools catalogued and risk-classified — across an index of 43,000+ MCP servers.

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