Update an existing file in a repository
AI agents use update_file 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.
This tool modifies existing data (file contents) in a reversible manner. It creates or changes files but does not delete them irreversibly, so it is Write rather than Destructive.
From the tool's definition Tool name 'update_file' and description 'Update an existing file in a repository' indicate modification of repository content without deletion.
Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access update_file 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 update_file:
{
"version": "1",
"default": "deny",
"tools": {
"update_file": {
"limits": [
{
"counter": "update_file_rate",
"window": "minute",
"max": 30,
"scope": "grant"
}
]
}
}
}update_file 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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Update an existing file 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 update_file: 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.
update_file 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 update_file 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 update_file. 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.
update_file 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.