detect_ast_clones
Find Type-2 AST clones: functions/methods with identical structure after normalizing identifiers and literals (tree-sitter parse + AST subtree hash). Unlike check_duplication (name/signature similarity), this finds structurally identical bodies — prime DRY-refactor candidates. Supports TypeScript...
This record as markdown: /tools/nikolai-vysotskyi-trace-mcp/detect-ast-clones.md
What detect_ast_clones does on Trace
AI agents call detect_ast_clones to retrieve information from Trace without modifying anything. It is typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
Why detect_ast_clones is rated Low
Analyzes code structure without modifying, deleting, or executing anything. Pure analysis tool.
From the tool's definition Find AST clones, read-only, returns JSON analysis results
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
The rule that runs detect_ast_clones safely
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: it sits between your AI agents and Trace, and checks every tool call against a rule you set before the call runs. Nothing changes on the server itself. For detect_ast_clones, this is the rule to start with:
detect_ast_clones is read-only, so it stays allowed. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.
The button opens the PolicyLayer dashboard: create your workspace, connect Trace, apply this rule, and every detect_ast_clones call is checked against it from then on.
Questions about detect_ast_clones
Find Type-2 AST clones: functions/methods with identical structure after normalizing identifiers and literals (tree-sitter parse + AST subtree hash). Unlike check_duplication (name/signature similarity), this finds structurally identical bodies — prime DRY-refactor candidates. Supports TypeScript, JavaScript, Python, Ruby, Go, Java, Rust, PHP, C, C++, C#, Swift, Kotlin, Scala, Elixir. Read-only. Returns JSON: { groups: [{ hash, size, loc, symbols: [{ symbol_id, name, file, line_start, line_end }] }], total_groups, total_duplicated_symbols, files_scanned, symbols_scanned }. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Trace MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Trace MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for detect_ast_clones: 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 Trace. Nothing to install.
detect_ast_clones 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 detect_ast_clones 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 detect_ast_clones. 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.
detect_ast_clones is provided by the Trace MCP server (nikolai-vysotskyi/trace-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
More on Trace, and thousands of servers like it.
This server
Across the catalogue