repo-clone

THE RISK

High Risk

Why repo-clone needs a policy

Cloning a repository executes an external operation (git clone) that downloads code from GitHub onto the local filesystem. This triggers an external network operation and writes files to disk. Since it involves executing an external command (curl/git) and has side effects on the local filesystem, Execute is the appropriate category.

From the tool's definition Clones a GitHub repository. Returns structured data with success status, repo name, target directory, and message.

Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access repo-clone gives an agent:

POLICY

How to control repo-clone

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 repo-clone:

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "repo-clone": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "repo-clone_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 10,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

repo-clone 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.

Create a free account and register Http — nothing to install.
Add this policy — paste it, or build it visually.
Point your MCP client (Claude, Cursor, anything) at your gateway URL.

RATE-LIMIT THIS TOOL →

Free to start. No card required.

EXPLORE

Related tools and policies

More Http tools

Destructive clean Runs dotnet clean to remove build outputs and returns structured results. Destructive remove Runs Destructive reset Resets the current HEAD to a specified state. Supports soft, mixed, hard, merge, and keep Destructive secret-delete Deletes a repository, organization, or environment GitHub Actions secret. Destructive tag Manages git tags. Supports list (default), create, and delete actions. List returns struct Destructive variable-delete Deletes a repository, organization, or environment GitHub Actions variable. Destructive workspace Manages Terraform workspaces: list, select, create, or delete workspaces. Destructive branch Lists, creates, renames, or deletes branches. Returns structured branch data. Pass

All 202 Http tools →

Execute tools on other servers

Android Forensics ADB MCP Server adb_shell_command EMBA-MCP run_emba_scan Frida Game Hacking MCP remove_breakpoint Procmon request_elevation

Go deeper

Govern code and CI agents → Branch allowlists, approval on merges, and rate caps on the build and pipeline tools agents trigger.
High-risk tools in Http → Every high-risk tool this server exposes, in one view.
All high-risk MCP tools → Every high-risk tool across the catalogue, and the policy pattern that contains them.
The MCP Attack Database → Documented attack patterns against MCP deployments — and the policies that stop them.
Agent sandbox → Bounding what an agent can execute and where the boundary should sit.
Least privilege for MCP → Granting agents the minimum tool surface the task needs.
Rate Limiting MCP Tool Calls: A Practical Guide →
MCP Security: Why Prompt Guardrails Aren't Enough →
PolicyLayer vs alternatives → How deterministic, per-call MCP policy compares with gateways, identity layers, and authorisation platforms.

FAQ

Questions about repo-clone

What does the repo-clone tool do? +

Clones a GitHub repository. Returns structured data with success status, repo name, target directory, and message. 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 repo-clone? +

Register the Http MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for repo-clone: 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 repo-clone? +

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

Can I rate-limit repo-clone? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the repo-clone 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 repo-clone completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for repo-clone. 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 repo-clone? +

repo-clone 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.

CHECK YOUR STACK →