# format-check

Checks if files are formatted and returns a structured list of files needing formatting.

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

## Facts

- Tool: `format-check`
- 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": "format-check",
    "arguments": {}
  }
}
```

## Why format-check is rated Low

This tool only reads and analyzes file formatting status, returning structured diagnostics as JSON. It has no side effects—it does not modify, delete, execute, or move any files or data. The read-only nature and the lack of any mutations or external operations place it firmly in the Read category with low severity.

From the tool's own definition: "The tool 'Checks if files are formatted and returns a structured list of files needing formatting.' performs inspection and reporting without modifying any files. It is a diagnostic read operation that retrieves format status information."

## Use case

AI agents call format-check 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": {
    "format-check": {}
  }
}
```

## 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