atxtechbro / atxtechbro/dotfiles

Implement contextual auto-approval in MCP servers for OSE perspective

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#710 3 comments 0 reactions 0 assignees View on GitHub
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Shell
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27
Forks
2
PR merge metrics
No merged PRs in 30d

Description

## Context
From the retro on PR #708, we identified opportunities to reduce "helicopter approval" patterns and elevate to an OSE (Outside and Slightly Elevated) perspective.

## Problem
Currently, agents request approval for many routine operations that could be safely automated, creating unnecessary friction and preventing focus on higher-level decisions.

## Proposed Solution (Scoped to GitHub MCP Server)
Implement contextual auto-approval logic in the GitHub MCP server as a first step. Since we control these servers, we can make them inherently safer while enabling auto-approval.

### Scope for Initial Implementation
Focus on GitHub operations only:
- Auto-approve operations on private repos owned by the authenticated user
- Use `get_me()` to determine authenticated user (portable approach)
- Maintain manual approval for exceptions (delete repo, make public, transfer ownership)

### Example Implementation Pattern
```python
# On startup
AUTHENTICATED_USER = get_me()['login']

# Before operations
if repo_owner == AUTHENTICATED_USER and repo_private and operation not in EXCEPTIONS:
return execute()
else:
return request_approval()
```

## Benefits
- Immediate 50% improvement vs waiting for perfect solution
- Reduces friction for routine operations
- Maintains safety through contextual logic
- Allows human focus on strategic decisions
- Implements safety at tool level rather than permission level
- Aligns with OSE perspective from systems-stewardship principle

## Future Expansion
After GitHub implementation proves successful, can expand pattern to:
- Git MCP server
- Filesystem MCP server
- Other MCP servers based on context

Contributor guide

No contributing guide indexed for this repository

Research direction

Start by locating the GitHub MCP server implementation and its get_me() entry point, then map the repository-owner, privacy, and operation checks described in the issue. Done means routine operations on authenticated-user private repositories can proceed contextually while delete, publicizing, and ownership-transfer operations still request approval, with the existing approval behavior preserved elsewhere.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.

Assessment

Tech stack
github, python
Domain
backend, tooling
Issue type
Feature
Difficulty
5/5
Estimated time
Over a week
Activity status
Stale
Clarity
Mostly clear
Newbie friendliness
25/100

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