delete_file
Delete file
Part of the GitHub MCP server. Enforce policies on this tool with Intercept, the open-source MCP proxy.
WHEN AI AGENTS USE THIS TOOL
AI agents may call delete_file to permanently remove or destroy resources in GitHub. Without a policy, an autonomous agent could delete critical data in a loop with no way to undo the damage. Intercept blocks destructive tools by default and requires explicit human approval before enabling them.
WHY ENFORCE A POLICY ON DELETE_FILE
Without a policy, an AI agent could call delete_file in a loop, permanently destroying resources in GitHub. There is no undo for destructive operations. Intercept blocks this tool by default and only allows it when a human explicitly approves the action.
RECOMMENDED POLICY
Destructive tools permanently remove data. Block by default. Only enable with explicit approval workflows.
tools:
delete_file:
rules:
- action: deny
reason: "Blocked by default — enable with approval"See the full GitHub policy for all 83 tools.
DETAILS
MORE GITHUB TOOLS
actions_get Read actions_list Read get_code_scanning_alert Read get_commit Read get_copilot_space Read get_dependabot_alert Read get_discussion Read get_discussion_comments Read SIMILAR DESTRUCTIVE TOOLS ON OTHER SERVERS
delete_record Airtable delete_session Appium appium_uninstallApp Appium deleteCompassComponent Atlassian Rovo deleteConfluencePage Atlassian Rovo delete_resource AWS RELATED READING
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What does the delete_file tool do?
Delete file. It is categorised as a Destructive tool in the GitHub MCP Server, which means it can permanently delete or destroy data. Block by default and require explicit approval.
How do I enforce a policy on delete_file?
Add a rule in your Intercept YAML policy under the tools section for delete_file. You can allow, deny, rate-limit, or validate arguments. Then run Intercept as a proxy in front of the GitHub MCP server.
What risk level is delete_file?
delete_file is a Destructive tool with critical risk. Critical-risk tools should be blocked by default and only enabled with explicit human approval.
Can I rate-limit delete_file?
Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the delete_file rule in your Intercept 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.
How do I block delete_file completely?
Set action: deny in the Intercept policy for delete_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.
What MCP server provides delete_file?
delete_file is provided by the GitHub MCP server (github/github-mcp-server). Intercept sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
ENFORCE POLICIES ON GITHUB
Open source. One binary. Zero dependencies.