Make an HTTP HEAD request to a specified URL with optional headers (returns only headers, no body). Supports secret substitution using {secrets.key} syntax in URL and headers where 'key' corresponds to HAL_SECRET_KEY environment variables.
Risk signalsAccepts URL/endpoint input (url)
Part of the Hal server.
Free to start. No card required.
AI agents use http-head to create or modify resources in Hal. Write operations carry medium risk because an autonomous agent could trigger bulk unintended modifications. Rate limits prevent a single agent session from making hundreds of changes in rapid succession. Argument validation ensures the agent passes expected values.
Without a policy, an AI agent could call http-head repeatedly, creating or modifying resources faster than any human could review. PolicyLayer's rate limiting ensures write operations happen at a controlled pace, and argument validation catches malformed or unexpected inputs before they reach Hal.
Write tools can modify data. A rate limit prevents runaway bulk operations from AI agents.
{
"version": "1",
"default": "deny",
"tools": {
"http-head": {
"limits": [
{
"counter": "http-head_rate",
"window": "minute",
"max": 30,
"scope": "grant"
}
]
}
}
}See the full Hal policy for all 8 tools.
These attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access http-head gives an agent. Each links to the full case and the policy that stops it:
Other write tools across the catalogue. The same approach applies to each: rate-limit and validate the arguments.
Make an HTTP HEAD request to a specified URL with optional headers (returns only headers, no body). Supports secret substitution using {secrets.key} syntax in URL and headers where 'key' corresponds to HAL_SECRET_KEY environment variables.. It is categorised as a Write tool in the Hal MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.
Register the Hal MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for http-head: 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 Hal. Nothing to install.
http-head is a Write tool with medium risk. Write tools should be rate-limited to prevent accidental bulk modifications.
Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the http-head 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 http-head. 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.
http-head is provided by the Hal MCP server (hal-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Deterministic rules across all 8 Hal tools. Per-identity grants. Full audit log. Live in minutes. Nothing to install.
Free to start. No card required.
4,600+ MCP servers and 31,000+ tools scanned and risk-classified.