AI agents call github_list_branches to retrieve information from Sage MCP without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool performs a read-only operation to list/enumerate branches in a repository. It does not create, modify, delete, or execute any code. The blast radius of misuse is minimal—an attacker could enumerate repository structure but cannot alter code, trigger builds, or access sensitive operations.
From the tool's definition Tool name 'github_list_branches' and description 'List branches for a repository' indicate a query operation that retrieves branch metadata without modification or side effects.
Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access github_list_branches gives an agent:
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and Sage MCP, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for github_list_branches:
{
"version": "1",
"default": "deny",
"tools": {
"github_list_branches": {}
}
}github_list_branches is read-only, so it stays allowed — but everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.
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List branches for a repository. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Sage MCP MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Sage MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for github_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 Sage MCP. Nothing to install.
github_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 github_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 github_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.
github_list_branches is provided by the Sage MCP server (sagemcp/sagemcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Deterministic rules across all 359 Sage MCP tools. Per-identity grants. Full audit log. Live in minutes. Nothing to install.
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359 Sage MCP tools catalogued and risk-classified — across an index of 42,500+ MCP servers.