# submodule

Manages git submodules. Supports list (default), add, update, sync, and deinit actions. List returns structured submodule data with path, SHA, branch, and status.

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

## Facts

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

## Why submodule is rated Medium

While the list action is read-only, the tool's primary capability encompasses reversible write operations (add, update, sync) that modify git submodule configuration and repository state. The deinit action removes submodules but is reversible (submodules can be re-added). This is not Execute (no arbitrary code running), not Destructive (changes can be undone by re-configuring submodules), and not Financial.

From the tool's own definition: "Tool description explicitly states it 'Supports list (default), add, update, sync, and deinit actions.' The add, update, sync, and deinit operations are all write/modification operations on git configuration and repository structure."

## Use case

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

## Recommended policy (PolicyLayer)

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

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

## 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