List branches in a GitHub repository
AI agents call list_branches to retrieve information from GitHub See MCP Server without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool retrieves or queries existing branch information from a GitHub repository without side effects. It performs a read-only operation consistent with the 'Read' category (search, list, get, fetch). The blast radius of misuse is minimal—an AI agent could list branches to gather information about a repository, but cannot modify, delete, or execute actions.
From the tool's definition Tool name 'list_branches' and description 'List branches in a GitHub repository' indicate a retrieval operation with no data modification, creation, deletion, or execution of external operations.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
List branches in a GitHub repository. It is categorised as a Read tool in the GitHub See MCP Server MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the GitHub See MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for list_branches: 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 GitHub See MCP Server. Nothing to install.
list_branches is a Read tool with low risk. Read-only tools are generally safe to allow by default.
Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the list_branches 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 list_branches. 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.
list_branches is provided by the GitHub See MCP Server MCP server (jesusmaster/github-see-mcp-server). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Every MCP server has a record like this.
Type a name, get the same breakdown: verified identity, auth posture, risk grade, capabilities, recommended policy.
Teams ship this data inside their own products. See what a licence covers →