gitlab_list_branches

THE RISK

Low Risk

Why gitlab_list_branches needs a policy

This tool retrieves or queries branch information from a GitLab repository without creating, modifying, or deleting any data. It is a read-only operation that returns information to the user. This is the definition of the Read category. The blast radius of misuse is minimal — an AI agent cannot cause harm by listing branches.

From the tool's definition Tool name is 'gitlab_list_branches' and description states 'List repository branches' — a query/retrieval operation with no side effects.

Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access gitlab_list_branches gives an agent:

POLICY

How to control gitlab_list_branches

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_list_branches:

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "gitlab_list_branches": {}
  }
}

gitlab_list_branches is read-only, so it stays allowed — but everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

Create a free account and register Gitlab — nothing to install.
Add this policy — paste it, or build it visually.
Point your MCP client (Claude, Cursor, anything) at your gateway URL.

CAP THIS TOOL →

Free to start. No card required.

EXPLORE

Related tools and policies

More Gitlab tools

Destructive gitlab_delete_branch Delete a repository branch permanently. Requires branch. Recommended pre-check: gitlab_get Destructive gitlab_delete_draft_note Delete a merge-request draft note permanently. Irreversible. Requires merge_request_iid an Destructive gitlab_delete_group_wiki_page Delete a group wiki page permanently. Irreversible. Requires group_id and slug. Recommende Destructive gitlab_delete_issue Delete an issue permanently. Irreversible. Requires issue_iid. Recommended pre-check: gitl Destructive gitlab_delete_issue_emoji_reaction Delete an emoji reaction from an issue permanently. Irreversible for that reaction. Requir Destructive gitlab_delete_issue_link Delete an issue link permanently. Irreversible for that relation. Requires issue_iid and i Destructive gitlab_delete_issue_note_emoji_reaction Delete an emoji reaction from an issue note permanently. Irreversible for that reaction. R Destructive gitlab_delete_label Delete a label permanently. Irreversible. Requires name or label_id. Recommended pre-check

All 190 Gitlab tools →

Read tools on other servers

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Go deeper

The MCP Attack Database → Documented attack patterns against MCP deployments — and the policies that stop them.
Data exfiltration → How read access becomes an exfiltration channel when chained with untrusted content.
MCP token cost → What connecting this server costs in context-window tokens on every request.
Rate Limiting MCP Tool Calls: A Practical Guide →
MCP Security: Why Prompt Guardrails Aren't Enough →

FAQ

Questions about gitlab_list_branches

What does the gitlab_list_branches tool do? +

List repository branches. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Gitlab MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.

How do I enforce a policy on gitlab_list_branches? +

Register the Gitlab MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for gitlab_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 Gitlab. Nothing to install.

What risk level is gitlab_list_branches? +

gitlab_list_branches is a Read tool with low risk. Read-only tools are generally safe to allow by default.

Can I rate-limit gitlab_list_branches? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the gitlab_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.

How do I block gitlab_list_branches completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for gitlab_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.

What MCP server provides gitlab_list_branches? +

gitlab_list_branches 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.

Enforce policy on every Gitlab tool call.

Start from Gitlab, add the rest of your stack, and see everything your agents can call. Then put policy on all of it.

CHECK YOUR STACK →