# diff

Returns file-level diff statistics as structured data. Use full=true for patch content.

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

## Facts

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

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

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

## Why diff is rated Low

The `diff` tool is purely informational; it reads and reports differences between file versions. There are no side effects, no data modification, no code execution, and no destructive operations. The optional patch content is still just data presentation. This is a classic Read category operation analogous to a diff command used for inspection and analysis.

From the tool's own definition: "Tool returns 'file-level diff statistics as structured data' with optional 'patch content' - it retrieves and presents file differences without modifying files or executing code. The verb 'returns' and 'structured data' indicate read-only retrieval."

## Use case

AI agents call diff to retrieve information from Lint without modifying anything. It is typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.

## Recommended policy (PolicyLayer)

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

```json
{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "diff": {}
  }
}
```

## 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