# head

Makes an HTTP HEAD request via curl and returns structured response headers (no body). Use to check resource existence, content type, or cache headers.

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

## Facts

- Tool: `head`
- Server: Npm (`Dave-London/Pare`) — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-npm.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": "head",
    "arguments": {}
  }
}
```

## Why head is rated Low

HTTP HEAD requests are idempotent and retrieve only metadata without modifying any state. The tool cannot create, delete, or execute code—it merely queries remote resources for their headers. Even with malicious input, a HEAD request cannot alter data on either client or server. This is a classic Read operation with minimal security risk.

From the tool's own definition: "'Makes an HTTP HEAD request via curl and returns structured response headers (no body)' - pure information retrieval with no side effects."

## Use case

AI agents call head to retrieve information from Npm 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 Npm:

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

## Other tools on Npm (201)

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