Search for code across GitHub repositories
AI agents call search_code to retrieve information from Mcp Github without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool performs code search functionality, which is fundamentally a read-only operation that retrieves and returns matching code from repositories without modifying any data, executing arbitrary code, or causing side effects. It fits the 'Read' category as defined (retrieves or queries data; no side effects).
From the tool's definition Tool name 'search_code' and description 'Search for code across GitHub repositories' indicate a query/retrieval operation with no data modification or side effects.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Search for code across GitHub repositories. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Mcp Github MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Mcp Github MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for search_code: 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 Mcp Github. Nothing to install.
search_code 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 search_code 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 search_code. 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.
search_code is provided by the Mcp Github MCP server (@missionsquad/mcp-github). 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 →