# protect_branch

Protect a repository branch (set push/merge/unprotect access levels)

Agent View of the PolicyLayer registry record for `protect_branch`. HTML page: https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-zereight-gitlab-mcp/protect-branch

## Facts

- Tool: `protect_branch`
- Server: Gitlab Mcp (`@zereight/mcp-gitlab`) — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-zereight-gitlab-mcp.md
- Install: `npx -y @zereight/mcp-gitlab`
- Homepage: https://github.com/zereight/gitlab-mcp
- 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": "protect_branch",
    "arguments": {}
  }
}
```

## Why protect_branch is rated Medium

Protecting a branch modifies access control settings (push, merge, unprotect permissions) but does not create or delete the branch itself, nor does it directly execute code or transfer funds. This is a configuration write operation. Severity is high because misconfiguring branch protections could disrupt development workflows, disable critical safeguards, or allow unauthorized code merges if protections are weakened.

From the tool's own definition: "Tool name 'protect_branch' combined with description stating it 'set[s] push/merge/unprotect access levels' indicates modification of branch protection settings, a reversible configuration change."

## Use case

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

## Recommended policy (PolicyLayer)

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

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

## Other tools on Gitlab Mcp (214)

- `cancel_pipeline_job` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-zereight-gitlab-mcp/cancel-pipeline-job.md
- `delete_branch` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-zereight-gitlab-mcp/delete-branch.md
- `delete_draft_note` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-zereight-gitlab-mcp/delete-draft-note.md
- `delete_group_variable` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-zereight-gitlab-mcp/delete-group-variable.md
- `delete_group_wiki_page` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-zereight-gitlab-mcp/delete-group-wiki-page.md
- `delete_issue` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-zereight-gitlab-mcp/delete-issue.md
- `delete_issue_emoji_reaction` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-zereight-gitlab-mcp/delete-issue-emoji-reaction.md
- `delete_issue_link` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-zereight-gitlab-mcp/delete-issue-link.md
- `delete_issue_note_emoji_reaction` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-zereight-gitlab-mcp/delete-issue-note-emoji-reaction.md
- `delete_label` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-zereight-gitlab-mcp/delete-label.md
- `delete_merge_request_discussion_note` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-zereight-gitlab-mcp/delete-merge-request-discussion-note.md
- `delete_merge_request_emoji_reaction` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-zereight-gitlab-mcp/delete-merge-request-emoji-reaction.md
- `delete_merge_request_note` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-zereight-gitlab-mcp/delete-merge-request-note.md
- `delete_merge_request_note_emoji_reaction` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-zereight-gitlab-mcp/delete-merge-request-note-emoji-reaction.md
- `delete_milestone` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-zereight-gitlab-mcp/delete-milestone.md
- `delete_project_variable` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-zereight-gitlab-mcp/delete-project-variable.md
- `delete_release` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-zereight-gitlab-mcp/delete-release.md
- `delete_tag` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-zereight-gitlab-mcp/delete-tag.md
- `delete_wiki_page` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-zereight-gitlab-mcp/delete-wiki-page.md
- `delete_work_item_emoji_reaction` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-zereight-gitlab-mcp/delete-work-item-emoji-reaction.md
- `delete_work_item_note_emoji_reaction` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-zereight-gitlab-mcp/delete-work-item-note-emoji-reaction.md
- `omg_clear_state` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-zereight-gitlab-mcp/omg-clear-state.md
- `omg_delete_memory` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-zereight-gitlab-mcp/omg-delete-memory.md
- `purge_dependency_proxy_cache` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-zereight-gitlab-mcp/purge-dependency-proxy-cache.md
- `unprotect_branch` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-zereight-gitlab-mcp/unprotect-branch.md
- `cancel_pipeline` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-zereight-gitlab-mcp/cancel-pipeline.md
- `create_pipeline` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-zereight-gitlab-mcp/create-pipeline.md
- `execute_graphql` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-zereight-gitlab-mcp/execute-graphql.md
- `omg_next_phase` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-zereight-gitlab-mcp/omg-next-phase.md
- `play_pipeline_job` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-zereight-gitlab-mcp/play-pipeline-job.md
- …and 184 more: https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-zereight-gitlab-mcp.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-zereight-gitlab-mcp · API: https://policylayer.com/registry/api · Policy library: https://policylayer.com/policies/io-github-zereight-gitlab-mcp