variable-set

Sets a repository, organization, or environment GitHub Actions variable. Variables are not secret and may be visible in logs.

SERVERHttp SOURCE@paretools/http

Medium RISK CLASS

Category Write

Parameters 00 required

Recommended Rate-limitedsee the rule below

Registry record Grade F, identity unverified Pull the record →

This record as markdown: /tools/io-github-dave-london-http/variable-set.md

WHAT IT DOES

What variable-set does on Http

AI agents use variable-set 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.

RISK

Why variable-set is rated Medium

This tool modifies GitHub Actions configuration by creating or updating environment variables. While the action itself is reversible (variables can be changed or deleted separately), it affects CI/CD pipeline behavior and could potentially be exploited to inject malicious values into build processes, alter deployment parameters, or expose sensitive information through variable usage in workflows.

From the tool's definition Tool description states it 'Sets a repository, organization, or environment GitHub Actions variable,' which is a create/modify operation. The note that 'Variables are not secret and may be visible in logs' indicates data modification without deletion.

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

RECOMMENDED RULE

The rule that runs variable-set 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 variable-set, this is the rule to start with:

variable-set Rate-limited

variable-set stays usable, but capped: an agent stuck in a loop can't make hundreds of changes a minute. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

View as policy code

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "variable-set": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "variable-set_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 30,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

LIMIT THIS TOOL → Instant setup, no code required.

The button opens the PolicyLayer dashboard: create your workspace, connect Http, apply this rule, and every variable-set call is checked against it from then on.

FAQ

Questions about variable-set

What does the variable-set tool do? +

Sets a repository, organization, or environment GitHub Actions variable. Variables are not secret and may be visible in logs. It is categorised as a Write tool in the Http MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.

How do I enforce a policy on variable-set? +

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

variable-set is a Write tool with medium risk. Write tools should be rate-limited to prevent accidental bulk modifications.

Can I rate-limit variable-set? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the variable-set 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 variable-set completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for variable-set. 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 variable-set? +

variable-set 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.

KEEP EXPLORING

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