Create a new branch in a repository
AI agents use create_branch to create or update resources in Forgejo — usually the action step of a workflow, after the agent has gathered context. Every call changes real data in your Forgejo environment.
Creating a branch is a reversible write operation that modifies repository state by adding a new branch reference. While it does not destroy data, it can create a proliferation of branches and consume resources. The severity is medium because the effect is reversible (branches can be deleted) and the blast radius is limited to branch namespace pollution rather than data loss or financial impact.
From the tool's definition Tool name 'create_branch' and description 'Create a new branch in a repository' indicate creation of a new reference/object in a repository without permanent deletion or destructive capability.
Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access create_branch gives an agent:
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and Forgejo, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for create_branch:
{
"version": "1",
"default": "deny",
"tools": {
"create_branch": {
"limits": [
{
"counter": "create_branch_rate",
"window": "minute",
"max": 30,
"scope": "grant"
}
]
}
}
}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 in a repository. It is categorised as a Write tool in the Forgejo MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.
Register the Forgejo MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for 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 Forgejo. Nothing to install.
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 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 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.
create_branch is provided by the Forgejo MCP server (sqcows/forgejo-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Start from Forgejo, add the rest of your stack, and see everything your agents can call. Then put policy on all of it.
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103 Forgejo tools catalogued and risk-classified — across an index of 43,000+ MCP servers.