# checkout

Switches branches or restores files. Returns structured data with ref, previous ref, whether a new branch was created, and detached HEAD status. Pass

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

## Facts

- Tool: `checkout`
- Server: Search (`Dave-London/Pare`) — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-pare-search.md
- Homepage: https://github.com/Dave-London/Pare
- Risk category: Execute (High 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": "checkout",
    "arguments": {}
  }
}
```

## Why checkout is rated High

Checking out branches or restoring files is an active git operation that changes repository state (working tree, HEAD pointer). It can overwrite local changes when restoring files (potentially destructive), but its primary function is branch switching/file restoration — an execution of a git command with significant side effects. Misuse could lead to data loss of uncommitted work or unintended branch changes.

From the tool's own definition: "Switches branches or restores files... whether a new branch was created, and detached HEAD status"

## Use case

AI agents invoke checkout to trigger actions in Search. 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.

## Recommended policy (PolicyLayer)

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

```json
{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "checkout": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "checkout_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 10,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}
```

## Other tools on Search (201)

- `branch` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-pare-search/branch.md
- `clean` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-pare-search/clean.md
- `package-clean` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-pare-search/package-clean.md
- `remove` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-pare-search/remove.md
- `reset` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-pare-search/reset.md
- `secret-delete` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-pare-search/secret-delete.md
- `stash` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-pare-search/stash.md
- `tag` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-pare-search/tag.md
- `variable-delete` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-pare-search/variable-delete.md
- `workspace` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-pare-search/workspace.md
- `add` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-pare-search/add.md
- `add-package` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-pare-search/add-package.md
- `ansible-galaxy` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-pare-search/ansible-galaxy.md
- `ansible-playbook` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-pare-search/ansible-playbook.md
- `api` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-pare-search/api.md
- `apply` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-pare-search/apply.md
- `audit` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-pare-search/audit.md
- `bazel` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-pare-search/bazel.md
- `biome-check` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-pare-search/biome-check.md
- `bisect` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-pare-search/bisect.md
- `black` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-pare-search/black.md
- `build` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-pare-search/build.md
- `bundle-exec` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-pare-search/bundle-exec.md
- `bundle-install` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-pare-search/bundle-install.md
- `check` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-pare-search/check.md
- `cherry-pick` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-pare-search/cherry-pick.md
- `clippy` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-pare-search/clippy.md
- `cmake` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-pare-search/cmake.md
- `compose-build` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-pare-search/compose-build.md
- `compose-down` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-pare-search/compose-down.md
- …and 171 more: https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-pare-search.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-pare-search · API: https://policylayer.com/registry/api · Policy library: https://policylayer.com/policies/io-github-dave-london-pare-search