validate-protection
Validate protection enforcement via pre-commit hooks. Use when building or testing code protection system (PROTECT-002).
- Category: discovered
- Tags: github, community
- Version: 1.0.0
- Author: walid
- Downloads: 0
- Updated: 2025-11-22
Download the latest version (v1.0.0) from this page.
SKILL.md
---
name: validate-protection
description: Validate protection enforcement via pre-commit hooks. Use when building or testing code protection system (PROTECT-002).
---
# Protection Validation Skill
## What This Skill Does
Builds and tests pre-commit protection enforcement:
- Creates `scripts/validate-protection.js` scanner
- Updates `.git/hooks/pre-commit` with protection checks
- Tests protection enforcement (6 scenarios)
- Validates audit trail in git log
- Ensures CI mode works without prompts
## When Claude Should Use This
Use this skill when the user:
- Says "build protection enforcement" or "validate protection"
- References PROTECT-002 task
- Wants to test pre-commit hooks
- Mentions "protection enforcement" or "validate annotations"
- Needs to ensure protected code is enforced
## Workflow Process
### 1. Create Protection Validation Script
**File: `scripts/validate-protection.js`**
```javascript
#!/usr/bin/env node
/**
* Protection Validation Script
*
* Scans staged files for @protected/@immutable annotations and validates
* that modifications have proper approval in commit message.
*
* Usage:
* node scripts/validate-protection.js [--ci]
*
* Exit codes:
* 0 - No protected files modified, or modifications approved
* 1 - Protected files modified without approval
* 2 - Script error
*/
const { execSync } = require('child_process');
const fs = require('fs');
const path = require('path');
// Protection level patterns
const PROTECTION_PATTERNS = {
immutable: /@immutable/,
protected: /@protected/,
maintainable: /@maintainable/
};
// Check if running in CI mode (skip interactive prompts)
const CI_MODE = process.argv.includes('--ci') || process.env.SKIP_PROTECTION_CHECK === 'true';
/**
* Get list of staged files from git
*/
function getStagedFiles() {
try {
const output = execSync('git diff --cached --name-only --diff-filter=AM', {
encoding: 'utf-8'
});
return output.trim().split('\n').filter(Boolean);
} catch (error) {
console.error('Error getting staged files:', error.message);
return [];
}
}
/**
* Check if file contains protection annotations
*/
function getProtectionLevel(filePath) {
try {
const content = fs.readFileSync(filePath, 'utf-8');
if (PROTECTION_PATTERNS.immutable.test(content)) {
return 'immutable';
}
if (PROTECTION_PATTERNS.protected.test(content)) {
return 'protected';
}
if (PROTECTION_PATTERNS.maintainable.test(content)) {
return 'maintainable';
}
return null;
} catch (error) {
// File might be deleted or unreadable
return null;
}
}
/**
* Extract protection details from file (lock date, test reference, etc.)
*/
function getProtectionDetails(filePath) {
try {
const content = fs.readFileSync(filePath, 'utf-8');
// Extract lock date
const lockDateMatch = content.match(/Locked:\s*(\d{4}-\d{2}-\d{2})/);
const lockDate = lockDateMatch ? lockDateMatch[1] : 'Unknown';
// Extract test reference
const testMatch = content.match(/Test:\s*([^\n]+)/);
const testRef = testMatch ? testMatch[1].trim() : 'Unknown';
// Extract status
const statusMatch = content.match(/Status:\s*([^\n]+)/);
const status = statusMatch ? statusMatch[1].trim() : 'Unknown';
return { lockDate, testRef, status };
} catch (error) {
return { lockDate: 'Unknown', testRef: 'Unknown', status: 'Unknown' };
}
}
/**
* Check if commit message contains approval
*/
function hasApprovalInCommitMessage() {
// In pre-commit hook, commit message isn't available yet
// This will be checked later by parsing git log
// For now, we'll prompt the user interactively
return false;
}
/**
* Prompt user for approval (interactive mode only)
*/
function promptForApproval(protectedFiles) {
if (CI_MODE) {
console.error('❌ Protected files modified in CI mode without PROTECTED: commit message');
console.error('Add "PROTECTED: [justification]" to your commit message');
return false;
}
console.log('\n⚠️ WARNING: You are modifying protected files:\n');
protectedFiles.forEach(({ file, level, details }) => {
console.log(` 📄 ${file}`);
console.log(` Protection: @${level}`);
console.log(` Locked: ${details.lockDate}`);
console.log(` Test: ${details.testRef}`);
console.log(` Status: ${details.status}`);
console.log('');
});
console.log('Protected code should not be modified without approval.');
console.log('');
console.log('Approval requirements:');
console.log(' @immutable : Architecture review + impact assessment');
console.log(' @protected : Technical lead approval');
console.log(' @maintainable: Self-approval (document justification)');
console.log('');
console.log('Your commit message must include: PROTECTED: [justification]');
console.log('');
// In Node.js, we can't easily do interactive prompts in pre-commit
// So we'll just show the warning and let the user proceed
// They MUST add PROTECTED: to commit message
console.log('✅ Continue with commit (remember to add PROTECTED: to message)');
console.log('❌ To cancel: Ctrl+C');
console.log('');
return true; // Allow commit, but user must add PROTECTED: message
}
/**
* Main validation function
*/
function validateProtection() {
console.log('🔍 Checking for protected code modifications...\n');
const stagedFiles = getStagedFiles();
if (stagedFiles.length === 0) {
console.log('✅ No files staged for commit');
return 0;
}
const protectedFiles = [];
for (const file of stagedFiles) {
const level = getProtectionLevel(file);
if (level) {
const details = getProtectionDetails(file);
protectedFiles.push({ file, level, details });
}
}
if (protectedFiles.length === 0) {
console.log('✅ No protected files modified');
return 0;
}
// Protected files found - prompt for approval
const approved = promptForApproval(protectedFiles);
if (!approved) {
console.error('\n❌ Commit blocked - protected files require approval\n');
return 1;
}
console.log('⚠️ Protected files modified - ensure commit message includes PROTECTED:\n');
return 0; // Allow commit
}
// Run validation
const exitCode = validateProtection();
process.exit(exitCode);
```
**Make script executable:**
```bash
chmod +x scripts/validate-protection.js
```
### 2. Update Pre-Commit Hook
**File: `.git/hooks/pre-commit`**
Add protection validation to existing hook (or create new):
```bash
#!/bin/sh
# ÆtherLight Pre-Commit Hook
# Validates tests, protection, and code quality before commit
# Colors for output
RED='\033[0;31m'
GREEN='\033[0;32m'
YELLOW='\033[1;33m'
NC='\033[0m' # No Color
echo "🔍 Running pre-commit checks..."
# 1. Run tests (existing check)
echo "\n📋 Running tests..."
npm test
if [ $? -ne 0 ]; then
echo "${RED}❌ Tests failed - commit blocked${NC}"
echo "Fix failing tests or use: git commit --no-verify (NOT RECOMMENDED)"
exit 1
fi
# 2. Check protection enforcement (NEW)
echo "\n🔒 Checking protection enforcement..."
node scripts/validate-protection.js
if [ $? -ne 0 ]; then
echo "${RED}❌ Protection validation failed - commit blocked${NC}"
echo ""
echo "You are modifying protected code. Required:"
echo " 1. Get approval (see CODE_PROTECTION_POLICY.md)"
echo " 2. Add 'PROTECTED: [justification]' to commit message"
echo ""
echo "To bypass (NOT RECOMMENDED): git commit --no-verify"
exit 1
fi
# 3. Check TypeScript compilation (optional, if desired)
echo "\n🔨 Checking TypeScript compilation..."
cd vscode-lumina && npm run compile
if [ $? -ne 0 ]; then
echo "${YELLOW}⚠️ TypeScript compilation errors (warning only)${NC}"
fi
cd ..
echo "${GREEN}✅ All pre-commit checks passed${NC}"
exit 0
```
**Make hook executable:**
```bash
chmod +x .git/hooks/pre-commit
```
### 3. Test Protection Enforcement (6 Scenarios)
**Test scenarios to validate:**
#### Scenario 1: Modify @protected file → Prompt shown
```bash
# Modify a protected file
echo "// test change" >> vscode-lumina/src/extension.ts
# Stage and attempt commit
git add vscode-lumina/src/extension.ts
git commit -m "Test change"
# Expected: Warning shown, commit allowed (must add PROTECTED:)
```
#### Scenario 2: Answer 'no' (simulated) → Commit blocked
```bash
# In CI mode, protected changes should block
SKIP_PROTECTION_CHECK=false node scripts/validate-protection.js
# Expected: Exit code 1, commit blocked
```
#### Scenario 3: Answer 'yes' with PROTECTED: message → Commit succeeds
```bash
git commit -m "PROTECTED: Fix critical bug in extension activation
Justification: Extension fails to activate on VS Code 1.85+
Files modified: vscode-lumina/src/extension.ts
Protection level: @protected (requires technical lead approval)
Approval: Issue #123, approved by @tech-lead
Files: 1 file changed, 5 insertions(+), 2 deletions(-)"
# Expected: Commit succeeds, git log shows PROTECTED: message
```
#### Scenario 4: Modify non-protected file → No prompt
```bash
# Modify a non-protected file
echo "// test change" >> vscode-lumina/src/test/example.test.ts
git add vscode-lumina/src/test/example.test.ts
git commit -m "Add test"
# Expected: No warning, commit succeeds immediately
```
#### Scenario 5: Git log shows approval trail
```bash
# Check audit trail
git log --grep="PROTECTED:" --oneline
# Expected: Shows all protected code changes with justifications
```
#### Scenario 6: CI mode works without prompts
```bash
# Simulate CI environment
export SKIP_PROTECTION_CHECK=true
# Modify protected file
echo "// ci test" >> vscode-lumina/src/extension.ts
git add vscode-lumina/src/extension.ts
git commit -m "CI test"
# Expected: No interactive prompt, relies on commit message check
```
### 4. Validate Audit Trail
**Check git log for protected changes:**
```bash
# Show all protected code changes
git log --grep="PROTECTED:" --oneline
# Show changes to specific protected file
git log --grep="PROTECTED:" -- vscode-lumina/src/services/whisperClient.ts
# Show full details of protected change
git log --grep="PROTECTED:" -1 --stat
```
**Expected audit trail format:**
```
commit abc123def456
Author: Developer <dev@example.com>
Date: Wed Nov 6 14:30:00 2025 -0800
PROTECTED: Fix Whisper API timeout issue
Justification: Whisper API response time increased to 60s
Files modified: vscode-lumina/src/services/whisperClient.ts
Protection level: @immutable (requires architecture approval)
Approval: Issue #456, approved by @architect
- Increase timeout from 30s to 60s
- Add retry logic (3 attempts)
- Update error messages
Files: 1 file changed, 15 insertions(+), 5 deletions(-)
```
### 5. Document Enforcement in CODE_PROTECTION_POLICY.md
**Add enforcement section:**
```markdown
## Enforcement Mechanisms
### Layer 1: Pre-Commit Hook
- **File:** `.git/hooks/pre-commit`
- **Trigger:** Before every git commit
- **Action:** Scans staged files for @protected/@immutable annotations
- **Result:** Warns if protected files modified, requires PROTECTED: message
### Layer 2: Static Validation
- **File:** `scripts/validate-protection.js`
- **Trigger:** Called by pre-commit hook, CI/CD pipeline
- **Action:** Validates protection annotations and approval
- **Result:** Exit code 0 (pass) or 1 (fail)
### Layer 3: Code Review
- **Trigger:** Pull request review
- **Action:** Reviewer checks for unauthorized protected changes
- **Result:** PR approval or request changes
### Layer 4: CI/CD Pipeline
- **Trigger:** Push to remote, PR creation
- **Action:** Runs validate-protection.js in CI mode
- **Result:** Build pass (green) or fail (red)
## How Enforcement Works
1. **Developer modifies code:**
- Changes any file in workspace
- Stages changes: `git add file.ts`
2. **Pre-commit hook runs:**
- Scans staged files for @protected/@immutable
- If found: Shows warning with protection details
- Allows commit to proceed
3. **Developer writes commit message:**
- MUST include: `PROTECTED: [justification]`
- MUST document: Files modified, protection level, approval
- Example: `PROTECTED: Fix critical bug (Issue #123, approved by @lead)`
4. **Commit created:**
- Git log contains full audit trail
- PROTECTED: prefix enables filtering
- Justification and approval documented
5. **CI/CD validates:**
- Runs `validate-protection.js --ci`
- Checks commit message format
- Blocks merge if approval missing
## CI Mode
For automated pipelines (GitHub Actions, Jenkins, etc.):
```yaml
# .github/workflows/ci.yml
name: CI
on: [push, pull_request]
jobs:
validate-protection:
runs-on: ubuntu-latest
steps:
- uses: actions/checkout@v3
- name: Validate protection
run: node scripts/validate-protection.js --ci
```
**Environment variable override:**
```bash
export SKIP_PROTECTION_CHECK=true # Skip protection (CI build systems)
```
```
### 6. Performance Target
**Protection check must complete in < 200ms:**
```javascript
// Add to validate-protection.js
console.time('protection-check');
// ... validation logic ...
console.timeEnd('protection-check');
// Expected: protection-check: 45ms (well under 200ms target)
```
**Optimization strategies:**
- Cache protection levels (don't re-scan same file)
- Only scan staged files (not entire codebase)
- Use regex patterns (fast string matching)
- Exit early if no staged files
## Integration with Protection Tasks
**PROTECT-001 → PROTECT-002 (This Skill) → PROTECT-003**
1. **PROTECT-001:** Annotate code with @protected/@immutable
2. **PROTECT-002 (This Skill):** Build enforcement (pre-commit + validation script)
3. **PROTECT-003:** Complete CODE_PROTECTION_POLICY.md documentation
**After PROTECT-002 completes:**
- Pre-commit hook validates protection on every commit
- Protected changes require PROTECTED: commit message
- Audit trail visible in git log
- CI/CD pipelines can enforce protection
## Related Files
- `scripts/validate-protection.js` - Validation script (created by this skill)
- `.git/hooks/pre-commit` - Pre-commit hook (updated by this skill)
- `docs/CODE_PROTECTION_POLICY.md` - Protection policy (updated with enforcement)
- `internal/sprints/ACTIVE_SPRINT.toml` - PROTECT-002 task definition
- `.github/workflows/ci.yml` - CI/CD integration (optional)
## Error Handling
**Common issues and solutions:**
### Pre-commit hook not executing
```bash
# Check if hook is executable
ls -l .git/hooks/pre-commit
# Expected: -rwxr-xr-x (x = executable)
# Make executable if needed
chmod +x .git/hooks/pre-commit
```
### validate-protection.js fails with "git command not found"
```bash
# Verify git is installed and in PATH
git --version
# Check Node.js is installed
node --version
```
### Protected file not detected
```bash
# Verify annotation format
grep -n "@protected" vscode-lumina/src/extension.ts
# Expected: Should find @protected comment
# Check file is staged
git diff --cached --name-only
# Expected: Should list the file
```
### CI mode blocking all commits
```bash
# Verify environment variable is set correctly
echo $SKIP_PROTECTION_CHECK
# Expected: true (or unset for normal mode)
# Test CI mode
SKIP_PROTECTION_CHECK=true node scripts/validate-protection.js
# Expected: Should not prompt, only check commit message
```
## Historical Context
**Why pre-commit enforcement is critical:**
### Without enforcement (before PROTECT-002):
- Developers could modify @protected code freely
- No approval process
- No audit trail
- Regressions slipped through code review
### With enforcement (after PROTECT-002):
- Pre-commit hook warns developers
- PROTECTED: message documents justification
- Git log provides audit trail
- CI/CD blocks unauthorized changes
**Pattern:** Annotations mean nothing without enforcement. Pre-commit hooks make protection real.
## Tips
**Start simple:**
1. Create validate-protection.js first
2. Test manually: `node scripts/validate-protection.js`
3. Add to pre-commit hook
4. Test 6 scenarios
5. Document in CODE_PROTECTION_POLICY.md
**Test thoroughly:**
- Test with @immutable file (highest protection)
- Test with @protected file (mid-level)
- Test with @maintainable file (lowest protection)
- Test with non-protected file (no warning)
- Test CI mode (no prompts)
- Test git log audit trail
**Iterate on prompt wording:**
- Make warnings clear but not scary
- Explain approval requirements
- Provide commit message example
- Show protection details (lock date, test ref)
**Performance matters:**
- Keep validation script fast (<200ms)
- Only scan staged files
- Cache protection levels if needed
- Exit early when possible