# checkout

Switches branches or restores files. Returns structured data with ref, previous ref, whether a new branch was created, and detached HEAD status. Pass

Agent View of the PolicyLayer registry record for `checkout`. HTML page: https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-lint/checkout

## Facts

- Tool: `checkout`
- Server: Lint (`Dave-London/Pare`) — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-lint.md
- Homepage: https://github.com/Dave-London/pare
- Risk category: Write (Medium risk)
- Registry record: grade F, identity unverified
- Server rate-limited: no
- Parameters: 0
- Recommended policy verdict: Rate-limited

## Example call (MCP tools/call, JSON-RPC 2.0)

```json
{
  "jsonrpc": "2.0",
  "id": 1,
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "name": "checkout",
    "arguments": {}
  }
}
```

## Why checkout is rated Medium

Checkout modifies repository state by changing the current branch or restoring files from git history. While these operations are reversible (you can checkout another branch or restore different files), they constitute write operations that alter the working state and can affect subsequent operations.

From the tool's own definition: "Tool 'checkout' performs git branch switching and file restoration operations. Description states it 'Switches branches or restores files' - these are reversible write operations that modify the working directory state and potentially update HEAD reference."

## Use case

AI agents use checkout to create or update resources in Lint, usually the action step of a workflow, after the agent has gathered context. Every call changes real data in your Lint environment.

## Recommended policy (PolicyLayer)

Verdict: **Rate-limited**. Enforced by the PolicyLayer MCP gateway (https://policylayer.com/mcp-gateway) before a call reaches Lint:

```json
{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "checkout": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "checkout_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 30,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}
```

## Other tools on Lint (201)

- `branch` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-lint/branch.md
- `clean` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-lint/clean.md
- `package-clean` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-lint/package-clean.md
- `pr-close` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-lint/pr-close.md
- `remove` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-lint/remove.md
- `reset` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-lint/reset.md
- `secret-delete` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-lint/secret-delete.md
- `tag` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-lint/tag.md
- `variable-delete` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-lint/variable-delete.md
- `workspace` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-lint/workspace.md
- `worktree` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-lint/worktree.md
- `add` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-lint/add.md
- `add-package` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-lint/add-package.md
- `ansible-galaxy` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-lint/ansible-galaxy.md
- `ansible-playbook` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-lint/ansible-playbook.md
- `api` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-lint/api.md
- `apply` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-lint/apply.md
- `bazel` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-lint/bazel.md
- `biome-check` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-lint/biome-check.md
- `bisect` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-lint/bisect.md
- `black` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-lint/black.md
- `build` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-lint/build.md
- `bundle-exec` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-lint/bundle-exec.md
- `bundle-install` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-lint/bundle-install.md
- `check` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-lint/check.md
- `cherry-pick` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-lint/cherry-pick.md
- `clippy` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-lint/clippy.md
- `cmake` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-lint/cmake.md
- `compose-build` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-lint/compose-build.md
- `compose-down` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-lint/compose-down.md
- …and 171 more: https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-lint.md

## For agents

This record is a snapshot. Live verdicts and the full registry:

- Check every server in your MCP config at once: `npx -y policylayer stack`
- Vet a server before you add it: install the mcp-precheck skill — `npx skills add https://policylayer.com` (skill text: https://policylayer.com/skill.md)
- Query the registry over MCP: endpoint `https://api.policylayer.com/mcp` — tools `check_mcp_server`, `check_mcp_stack`, `check_tool`, `search_registry`, `get_change_events`

---

Source: the PolicyLayer MCP registry — one continuously verified record per MCP server. Full record: https://policylayer.com/registry?q=io-github-dave-london-lint · API: https://policylayer.com/registry/api · Policy library: https://policylayer.com/policies/io-github-dave-london-lint