Low Risk

search_github

Search GitHub repositories by query, topic, language, and star count. Useful for discovering libraries, frameworks, prior art, and learning from existing implementations. Returns repo metadata including stars, forks, description, and topics. GITHUB_TOKEN optional but recommended for higher rate l...

Part of the Nodebench server.

search_github is read-only, but an agent in a loop can still rack up calls and cost. PolicyLayer caps every call before it runs. Live in minutes.

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AI agents call search_github to retrieve information from Nodebench without modifying any data. This is common in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows where the agent needs context before taking action. Because read operations don't change state, they are generally safe to allow without restrictions -- but you may still want rate limits to control API costs.

Even though search_github only reads data, uncontrolled read access can leak sensitive information or rack up API costs. An agent caught in a retry loop could make thousands of calls per minute. A rate limit gives you a safety net without blocking legitimate use.

Read-only tools are safe to allow by default. No rate limit needed unless you want to control costs.

policy.json
{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "search_github": {}
  }
}

See the full Nodebench policy for all 724 tools.

Get this rule live on your own Nodebench server in minutes. PolicyLayer enforces it on every call, before it runs.

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These attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access search_github gives an agent. Each links to the full case and the policy that stops it:

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Every attack above starts with a tool call. PolicyLayer checks each one against your policy first, so search_github only ever does what you allow.

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Other read tools across the catalogue. The same approach applies to each: allow, with a rate cap to control cost.

What does the search_github tool do? +

Search GitHub repositories by query, topic, language, and star count. Useful for discovering libraries, frameworks, prior art, and learning from existing implementations. Returns repo metadata including stars, forks, description, and topics. GITHUB_TOKEN optional but recommended for higher rate limits.. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Nodebench MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.

How do I enforce a policy on search_github? +

Register the Nodebench MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for search_github: 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 Nodebench. Nothing to install.

What risk level is search_github? +

search_github is a Read tool with low risk. Read-only tools are generally safe to allow by default.

Can I rate-limit search_github? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the search_github 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.

How do I block search_github completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for search_github. 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.

What MCP server provides search_github? +

search_github is provided by the Nodebench MCP server (nodebench-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every Nodebench tool call.

Deterministic rules across all 724 Nodebench tools. Per-identity grants. Full audit log. Live in minutes. Nothing to install.

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4,600+ MCP servers and 31,000+ tools scanned and risk-classified.

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