pip-show
Runs pip show and returns structured package metadata (name, version, summary, dependencies).
This record as markdown: /tools/io-github-dave-london-npm/pip-show.md
What pip-show does on Npm
AI agents call pip-show 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.
Why pip-show is rated Low
pip show is a standard Python package manager command that queries package information without modifying, executing code, deleting, or committing financial transactions. It is purely informational and belongs in the Read category with low severity since an AI agent misusing it poses minimal risk—at worst it could leak information about installed packages.
From the tool's definition Tool 'pip show' retrieves and returns structured package metadata (name, version, summary, dependencies). The description uses 'returns' and 'show' which indicate read-only retrieval of information with no side effects.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
The rule that runs pip-show safely
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: it sits between your AI agents and Npm, and checks every tool call against a rule you set before the call runs. Nothing changes on the server itself. For pip-show, this is the rule to start with:
pip-show is read-only, so it stays allowed. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.
The button opens the PolicyLayer dashboard: create your workspace, connect Npm, apply this rule, and every pip-show call is checked against it from then on.
Questions about pip-show
Runs pip show and returns structured package metadata (name, version, summary, dependencies). It is categorised as a Read tool in the Npm MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Npm MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for pip-show: 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 Npm. Nothing to install.
pip-show is a Read tool with low risk. Read-only tools are generally safe to allow by default.
Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the pip-show 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.
Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for pip-show. 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.
pip-show is provided by the Npm MCP server (Dave-London/Pare). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
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