# 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-test/checkout

## Facts

- Tool: `checkout`
- Server: Test (`Dave-London/Pare`) — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-pare-test.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": "checkout",
    "arguments": {}
  }
}
```

## Why checkout is rated Medium

Git checkout can both switch between existing branches and restore/overwrite files in the working directory. While not destructive in the sense of permanent deletion, it modifies the repository state reversibly—users can switch back or restore from the index. This is a Write operation rather than Execute because the effects are primarily about changing version control state rather than running arbitrary code.

From the tool's own definition: "Tool 'checkout' performs git checkout operations that modify the current working branch state: 'Switches branches or restores files' and tracks 'whether a new branch was created' and 'detached HEAD status'."

## Use case

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

## Recommended policy (PolicyLayer)

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

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

## Other tools on Test (201)

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