# pip-list

Runs pip list and returns a structured list of installed packages.

Agent View of the PolicyLayer registry record for `pip-list`. HTML page: https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-pare-python/pip-list

## Facts

- Tool: `pip-list`
- Server: Python (`Dave-London/Pare`) — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-pare-python.md
- Homepage: https://github.com/Dave-London/Pare
- Risk category: Read (Low risk)
- Registry record: grade F, identity unverified
- Server rate-limited: no
- Parameters: 9
- Recommended policy verdict: Allowed

## Parameters

| Parameter | Type | Required | Description |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `path` | string | no | Working directory |
| `user` | boolean | no | Only list packages installed in user-site (--user) |
| `local` | boolean | no | Only list packages in the local virtualenv (-l, --local) |
| `compact` | boolean | no | Prefer compact output |
| `exclude` | array | no | Package names to exclude from output |
| `editable` | boolean | no | Only list editable packages (-e, --editable) |
| `outdated` | boolean | no | Only list outdated packages with their latest available versions (--outdated) |
| `notRequired` | boolean | no | List packages that are not dependencies of other packages (--not-required) |
| `excludeEditable` | boolean | no | Exclude editable packages from the list (--exclude-editable) |

Parameters from the server's own tool schema.

## Example call (MCP tools/call, JSON-RPC 2.0)

```json
{
  "jsonrpc": "2.0",
  "id": 1,
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "name": "pip-list",
    "arguments": {}
  }
}
```

## Why pip-list is rated Low

The pip list command is inherently a query operation that enumerates installed packages. It produces no side effects, makes no modifications to the environment, and returns structured data for inspection only. This is a straightforward Read category classification with low severity since exposure of package inventory carries minimal direct risk.

From the tool's own definition: "Tool name 'pip-list' and description 'Runs pip list and returns a structured list of installed packages' indicate a read-only operation that queries and retrieves information about installed Python packages without modifying any state."

Risk signals: Accepts file system path (path)

## Use case

AI agents call pip-list to retrieve information from Python 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 Python:

```json
{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "pip-list": {}
  }
}
```

## Other tools on Python (13)

- `conda` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-pare-python/conda.md
- `mypy` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-pare-python/mypy.md
- `pip-install` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-pare-python/pip-install.md
- `poetry` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-pare-python/poetry.md
- `pyenv` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-pare-python/pyenv.md
- `pytest` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-pare-python/pytest.md
- `ruff-check` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-pare-python/ruff-check.md
- `uv-install` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-pare-python/uv-install.md
- `uv-run` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-pare-python/uv-run.md
- `black` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-pare-python/black.md
- `pip-audit` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-pare-python/pip-audit.md
- `pip-show` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-pare-python/pip-show.md
- `ruff-format` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-pare-python/ruff-format.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`

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Source: the PolicyLayer MCP registry — one continuously verified record per MCP server. Full record: https://policylayer.com/registry?q=io-github-dave-london-pare-python · API: https://policylayer.com/registry/api · Policy library: https://policylayer.com/policies/io-github-dave-london-pare-python