# git_checkout_branch

Checkout an existing branch.

Agent View of the PolicyLayer registry record for `git_checkout_branch`. HTML page: https://policylayer.com/tools/yuga-hashimoto-localant/git-checkout-branch

## Facts

- Tool: `git_checkout_branch`
- Server: LocalAnt (`yuga-hashimoto/localant`) — https://policylayer.com/tools/yuga-hashimoto-localant.md
- Homepage: https://github.com/yuga-hashimoto/localant
- Risk category: Execute (High risk)
- Registry record: grade F, identity unverified
- Server rate-limited: no
- Parameters: 0
- Recommended policy verdict: Rate-limited

## Example call (MCP tools/call, JSON-RPC 2.0)

```json
{
  "jsonrpc": "2.0",
  "id": 1,
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "name": "git_checkout_branch",
    "arguments": {}
  }
}
```

## Why git_checkout_branch is rated High

Checking out a branch switches the working tree and HEAD pointer to a different branch, which modifies the state of the local repository (working directory, staged files, etc.). While not irreversibly destructive in most cases, it is an active operation that changes filesystem state and can overwrite uncommitted local changes, making it Execute-level with medium severity.

From the tool's own definition: "git_checkout_branch — 'Checkout an existing branch'"

## Use case

AI agents invoke git_checkout_branch to trigger actions in LocalAnt. What it does depends on the arguments the agent supplies, and its effects often reach beyond the immediate call: builds kicked off, notifications sent, workflows started.

## Recommended policy (PolicyLayer)

Verdict: **Rate-limited**. Enforced by the PolicyLayer MCP gateway (https://policylayer.com/mcp-gateway) before a call reaches LocalAnt:

```json
{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "git_checkout_branch": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "git_checkout_branch_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 10,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}
```

## Other tools on LocalAnt (215)

- `adb_clear_logcat` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/yuga-hashimoto-localant/adb-clear-logcat.md
- `adb_uninstall` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/yuga-hashimoto-localant/adb-uninstall.md
- `fs_delete_file_with_approval` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/yuga-hashimoto-localant/fs-delete-file-with-approval.md
- `git_reset` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/yuga-hashimoto-localant/git-reset.md
- `git_reset_hard` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/yuga-hashimoto-localant/git-reset-hard.md
- `git_restore_file` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/yuga-hashimoto-localant/git-restore-file.md
- `mcp_server_unregister` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/yuga-hashimoto-localant/mcp-server-unregister.md
- `secret_remove` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/yuga-hashimoto-localant/secret-remove.md
- `shell_remove_allowed_command` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/yuga-hashimoto-localant/shell-remove-allowed-command.md
- `skill_uninstall` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/yuga-hashimoto-localant/skill-uninstall.md
- `adb_input_text` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/yuga-hashimoto-localant/adb-input-text.md
- `adb_install_apk` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/yuga-hashimoto-localant/adb-install-apk.md
- `adb_keyevent` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/yuga-hashimoto-localant/adb-keyevent.md
- `adb_shell` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/yuga-hashimoto-localant/adb-shell.md
- `adb_start_app` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/yuga-hashimoto-localant/adb-start-app.md
- `adb_stop_app` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/yuga-hashimoto-localant/adb-stop-app.md
- `adb_swipe` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/yuga-hashimoto-localant/adb-swipe.md
- `adb_tap` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/yuga-hashimoto-localant/adb-tap.md
- `agent_run` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/yuga-hashimoto-localant/agent-run.md
- `approval_approve` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/yuga-hashimoto-localant/approval-approve.md
- `autopilot` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/yuga-hashimoto-localant/autopilot.md
- `bash` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/yuga-hashimoto-localant/bash.md
- `browser_click` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/yuga-hashimoto-localant/browser-click.md
- `browser_close` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/yuga-hashimoto-localant/browser-close.md
- `browser_evaluate` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/yuga-hashimoto-localant/browser-evaluate.md
- `browser_open` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/yuga-hashimoto-localant/browser-open.md
- `browser_press` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/yuga-hashimoto-localant/browser-press.md
- `browser_scroll` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/yuga-hashimoto-localant/browser-scroll.md
- `browser_select` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/yuga-hashimoto-localant/browser-select.md
- `browser_type` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/yuga-hashimoto-localant/browser-type.md
- …and 185 more: https://policylayer.com/tools/yuga-hashimoto-localant.md

## For agents

This record is a snapshot. Live verdicts and the full registry:

- Check every server in your MCP config at once: `npx -y policylayer stack`
- Vet a server before you add it: install the mcp-precheck skill — `npx skills add https://policylayer.com` (skill text: https://policylayer.com/skill.md)
- Query the registry over MCP: endpoint `https://api.policylayer.com/mcp` — tools `check_mcp_server`, `check_mcp_stack`, `check_tool`, `search_registry`, `get_change_events`

---

Source: the PolicyLayer MCP registry — one continuously verified record per MCP server. Full record: https://policylayer.com/registry?q=yuga-hashimoto-localant · API: https://policylayer.com/registry/api · Policy library: https://policylayer.com/policies/yuga-hashimoto-localant