Get the contents of a file or directory from a GitHub repository
AI agents call get_file_contents to retrieve information from Server Puppeteer 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 that retrieves file or directory contents from a GitHub repository. It does not create, modify, delete, or execute any operations—it simply fetches and returns data. The blast radius of misuse is minimal since it only exposes information already accessible via standard GitHub read permissions.
From the tool's definition Tool name 'get_file_contents' and description 'Get the contents of a file or directory from a GitHub repository' indicate retrieval of data without modification or side effects.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Get the contents of a file or directory from a GitHub repository. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Server Puppeteer MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Server Puppeteer MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for get_file_contents: 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 Server Puppeteer. Nothing to install.
get_file_contents 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 get_file_contents 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 get_file_contents. 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.
get_file_contents is provided by the Server Puppeteer MCP server (@hisma/server-puppeteer). 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.
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