pip-install
Runs pip install and returns a structured summary of installed packages. WARNING: may execute untrusted code.
This record as markdown: /tools/io-github-dave-london-pare-python/pip-install.md
What pip-install does on Python
AI agents invoke pip-install to trigger actions in Python. What it does depends on the arguments the agent supplies, and its effects often reach beyond the immediate call: builds kicked off, notifications sent, workflows started.
| Parameter | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
pre | boolean | — | Include pre-release and development versions (--pre) |
path | string | — | Working directory |
dryRun | boolean | — | Preview what would be installed without actually installing (--dry-run) |
noDeps | boolean | — | Do not install package dependencies (--no-deps) |
report | string | — | Write JSON install report to file (--report FILE) |
target | string | — | Install packages into target directory (-t DIR) |
compact | boolean | — | Prefer compact output |
upgrade | boolean | — | Upgrade already-installed packages to the newest version (--upgrade / -U) |
editable | string | — | Path to local package for editable install (-e PATH) |
indexUrl | string | — | Base URL of the Python Package Index (-i URL) |
packages | array | — | Packages to install (empty for requirements.txt) |
constraint | string | — | Path to constraints file for version pinning (-c FILE) |
Parameters from the server's own tool schema.
Why pip-install is rated High
pip install downloads and executes arbitrary package code, including setup scripts and entry points. The explicit warning about untrusted code execution confirms the critical risk: a malicious or compromised package could execute arbitrary code on the host system during installation.
From the tool's definition 'Runs pip install', 'WARNING: may execute untrusted code'
Risk signalsAccepts file system path (path) · High parameter count (15 properties)
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
The rule that runs pip-install safely
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: it sits between your AI agents and Python, and checks every tool call against a rule you set before the call runs. Nothing changes on the server itself. For pip-install, this is the rule to start with:
pip-install stays usable, but rate-capped: a runaway agent can't fire it dozens of times a minute. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.
The button opens the PolicyLayer dashboard: create your workspace, connect Python, apply this rule, and every pip-install call is checked against it from then on.
Questions about pip-install
Runs pip install and returns a structured summary of installed packages. WARNING: may execute untrusted code. It is categorised as a Execute tool in the Python MCP Server, which means it can trigger actions or run processes. Use rate limits and argument validation.
pip-install accepts 12 parameters: pre, path, dryRun, noDeps, report, target, compact, upgrade, editable, indexUrl, packages, constraint. The full parameter table on this page comes from the server's own tool schema.
Register the Python MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for pip-install: 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 Python. Nothing to install.
pip-install is a Execute tool with high risk. Execute tools should be rate-limited and have argument validation enabled.
Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the pip-install 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-install. 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-install is provided by the Python 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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