# pip-show

Runs pip show and returns structured package metadata (name, version, summary, dependencies). Supports multiple packages in a single call.

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

## Facts

- Tool: `pip-show`
- 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: 5
- Recommended policy verdict: Allowed

## Parameters

| Parameter | Type | Required | Description |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `path` | string | no | Working directory |
| `files` | boolean | no | List installed files for the package (-f, --files) |
| `compact` | boolean | no | Prefer compact output |
| `package` | string | no | Single package name to show (for backward compatibility) |
| `packages` | array | no | Package names to show (supports multiple packages) |

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-show",
    "arguments": {}
  }
}
```

## Why pip-show is rated Low

pip show is a standard package inspection command that retrieves metadata about installed Python packages. It performs no modifications, deletions, or code execution—only information retrieval. Even with multiple packages queried simultaneously, the operation remains purely informational with no capacity for harm. This is a straightforward Read category tool.

From the tool's own definition: "Tool 'runs pip show and returns structured package metadata' - pip show is a read-only operation that queries installed package information without modifying, deleting, or executing code."

Risk signals: Accepts file system path (path)

## Use case

AI agents call pip-show 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-show": {}
  }
}
```

## 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-list` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-pare-python/pip-list.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