Create a new branch from an existing ref.
AI agents use gitlab_create_branch to create or update resources in Gitlab — usually the action step of a workflow, after the agent has gathered context. Every call changes real data in your Gitlab environment.
Creating a branch is a write operation that modifies the repository's reference structure. While technically reversible (a branch can be deleted), it represents a committed change to the repository state that persists until explicitly removed. This is less severe than destructive operations (which cannot be undone) but more severe than simple read operations.
From the tool's definition Tool name 'gitlab_create_branch' and description 'Create a new branch from an existing ref' indicate irreversible creation of a git reference within a repository.
Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access gitlab_create_branch gives an agent:
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and Gitlab, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for gitlab_create_branch:
{
"version": "1",
"default": "deny",
"tools": {
"gitlab_create_branch": {
"limits": [
{
"counter": "gitlab_create_branch_rate",
"window": "minute",
"max": 30,
"scope": "grant"
}
]
}
}
}gitlab_create_branch stays usable, but capped — an agent stuck in a loop can't make hundreds of changes a minute. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.
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Create a new branch from an existing ref. It is categorised as a Write tool in the Gitlab MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.
Register the Gitlab MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for gitlab_create_branch: 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 Gitlab. Nothing to install.
gitlab_create_branch is a Write tool with medium risk. Write tools should be rate-limited to prevent accidental bulk modifications.
Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the gitlab_create_branch 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 gitlab_create_branch. 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.
gitlab_create_branch is provided by the Gitlab MCP server (mcpland/gitlab-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Start from Gitlab, add the rest of your stack, and see everything your agents can call. Then put policy on all of it.
Free to start. No card required.
190 Gitlab tools catalogued and risk-classified — across an index of 43,000+ MCP servers.