# 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 limits.

Agent View of the PolicyLayer registry record for `search_github`. HTML page: https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-homenshum-nodebench/search-github

## Facts

- Tool: `search_github`
- Server: Nodebench (`nodebench-mcp`) — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-homenshum-nodebench.md
- Install: `npx -y nodebench-mcp`
- Homepage: https://github.com/HomenShum/nodebench-ai
- Risk category: Read (Low risk)
- Registry record: grade F, identity unverified
- Server rate-limited: no
- Parameters: 0
- Recommended policy verdict: Allowed

## Example call (MCP tools/call, JSON-RPC 2.0)

```json
{
  "jsonrpc": "2.0",
  "id": 1,
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "name": "search_github",
    "arguments": {}
  }
}
```

## Why search_github is rated Low

This tool only queries public GitHub data and returns metadata—it does not create, modify, delete, or execute any code. It is a straightforward information retrieval operation with no side effects. The optional GITHUB_TOKEN parameter is purely for rate-limit management, not authorization of write/execute actions. Severity is low because misuse would only result in accessing public repository information.

From the tool's own definition: "Tool performs a search query on GitHub repositories and 'Returns repo metadata including stars, forks, description, and topics.' No mutations or side effects mentioned. The verb 'Search' and 'discovering' indicate read-only retrieval."

## Use case

AI agents call search_github to retrieve information from Nodebench 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 Nodebench:

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

## Other tools on Nodebench (823)

- `abandon_cycle` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-homenshum-nodebench/abandon-cycle.md
- `archiveDocument` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-homenshum-nodebench/archivedocument.md
- `cleanup_stale_runs` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-homenshum-nodebench/cleanup-stale-runs.md
- `deeptrace_revoke_passport` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-homenshum-nodebench/deeptrace-revoke-passport.md
- `delete_learning` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-homenshum-nodebench/delete-learning.md
- `delete_sandbox_policy` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-homenshum-nodebench/delete-sandbox-policy.md
- `deleteAgentMemory` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-homenshum-nodebench/deleteagentmemory.md
- `removeDocumentFromFolder` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-homenshum-nodebench/removedocumentfromfolder.md
- `share_revoke_packet_link` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-homenshum-nodebench/share-revoke-packet-link.md
- `unload_toolset` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-homenshum-nodebench/unload-toolset.md
- `benchmark_models` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-homenshum-nodebench/benchmark-models.md
- `bootstrap_parallel_agents` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-homenshum-nodebench/bootstrap-parallel-agents.md
- `build_banking_packet` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-homenshum-nodebench/build-banking-packet.md
- `build_company_profile_starter` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-homenshum-nodebench/build-company-profile-starter.md
- `build_founder_operating_model` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-homenshum-nodebench/build-founder-operating-model.md
- `build_research_digest` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-homenshum-nodebench/build-research-digest.md
- `build_shared_context_subscription` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-homenshum-nodebench/build-shared-context-subscription.md
- `build_shared_context_subscription_manifest` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-homenshum-nodebench/build-shared-context-subscription-manifest.md
- `build_submission_export` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-homenshum-nodebench/build-submission-export.md
- `build_temporal_graph` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-homenshum-nodebench/build-temporal-graph.md
- `burst_capture` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-homenshum-nodebench/burst-capture.md
- `call_driver_tool` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-homenshum-nodebench/call-driver-tool.md
- `call_llm` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-homenshum-nodebench/call-llm.md
- `call_openclaw_skill` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-homenshum-nodebench/call-openclaw-skill.md
- `call_webmcp_tool` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-homenshum-nodebench/call-webmcp-tool.md
- `capture_surface_stats` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-homenshum-nodebench/capture-surface-stats.md
- `capture_ui_screenshot` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-homenshum-nodebench/capture-ui-screenshot.md
- `compile_decision_packet` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-homenshum-nodebench/compile-decision-packet.md
- `compile_scenarios` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-homenshum-nodebench/compile-scenarios.md
- `compile_tension_model` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-homenshum-nodebench/compile-tension-model.md
- …and 793 more: https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-homenshum-nodebench.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-homenshum-nodebench · API: https://policylayer.com/registry/api · Policy library: https://policylayer.com/policies/io-github-homenshum-nodebench