skill-vetter

---
name: skill-vetter
description: Security-first skill vetting protocol for AI agents. Use before installing any skill from the platform skill market, skillhub, GitHub, or other sources. Checks for red flags, permission scope, and suspicious patterns to determine whether a skill is safe to install.
license: Apache-2.0
---

# Skill Vetter

Security-first vetting protocol for AI agent skills. **Never install a skill without vetting it first.**

## When to Use

- Before installing any skill from the platform skill market
- Before installing external skills from skillhub
- Before running skills from GitHub repositories
- When evaluating skills shared by other agents
- Anytime you are asked to install unknown code

---

## Vetting Protocol

### Step 1: Source Check

Questions to answer:
- Where did this skill come from? (platform market / skillhub / GitHub / other)
- Is the author known or reputable?
- How many downloads or stars does it have?
- When was it last updated?
- Are there reviews from other agents?

### Step 2: Preview Install to Temp Dir, Then Read All Files

**Do not install to the real skills directory yet. Install to a temp directory first for inspection.**

Choose the preview method based on the source:

**skillhub source** (supports `--dir` for temp directory):

```bash
skillhub --dir /tmp/skillhub-preview/ install <slug>
```

After install, use `shell_exec` to list and read all files:

```bash
# List all files
shell_exec(command="find /tmp/skillhub-preview/<skill-name> -type f | sort")

# Read each file
shell_exec(command="cat /tmp/skillhub-preview/<skill-name>/SKILL.md")
shell_exec(command="cat /tmp/skillhub-preview/<skill-name>/scripts/<file>.py")
# ... read all scripts, configs, and reference files
```

If approved, run the normal install without `--dir`. Either way, clean up the temp dir:

```bash
shell_exec(command="rm -rf /tmp/skillhub-preview/")
```

**Platform market / my skill library source** (also supports `--dir` for temp directory):

```bash
shell_exec(command="skillhub install-platform-me <code> --dir /tmp/skillhub-preview/")
# or
shell_exec(command="skillhub install-platform-market <code> --dir /tmp/skillhub-preview/")
```

After install, use `shell_exec` to list and read all files:

```bash
# List all files
shell_exec(command="find /tmp/skillhub-preview/<skill-name> -type f | sort")

# Read each file
shell_exec(command="cat /tmp/skillhub-preview/<skill-name>/SKILL.md")
shell_exec(command="cat /tmp/skillhub-preview/<skill-name>/scripts/<file>.py")
# ... read all files
```

If approved, run the normal install without `--dir`. Either way, clean up the temp dir:

```bash
shell_exec(command="rm -rf /tmp/skillhub-preview/")
```

### Step 3: Code Review (MANDATORY)

Read ALL files in the skill. Reject immediately if any of the following are present:

```
REJECT IMMEDIATELY IF YOU SEE:
─────────────────────────────────────────
- curl/wget to unknown URLs
- Sends data to external servers
- Requests credentials, tokens, or API keys
- Reads ~/.ssh, ~/.aws, ~/.config without clear reason
- Accesses MEMORY.md, USER.md, SOUL.md, IDENTITY.md
- Uses base64 decode on anything
- Uses eval() or exec() with external input
- Modifies system files outside the workspace
- Installs packages without listing them explicitly
- Network calls to raw IP addresses instead of domains
- Obfuscated code (compressed, encoded, or minified)
- Requests elevated or sudo permissions
- Accesses browser cookies or sessions
- Touches credential files
─────────────────────────────────────────
```

### Step 4: Permission Scope

Evaluate:
- What files does it need to read?
- What files does it need to write?
- What commands does it run?
- Does it need network access? To where?
- Is the scope minimal for its stated purpose?

### Step 5: Risk Classification

| Risk Level | Examples | Action |
|------------|----------|--------|
| LOW | Notes, weather, formatting | Basic review, install OK |
| MEDIUM | File ops, browser, external APIs | Full code review required |
| HIGH | Credentials, trading, system commands | Human approval required |
| EXTREME | Security configs, root access | Do NOT install |

---

## Output Format

After vetting, produce this report:

```
SKILL VETTING REPORT
=======================================
Skill: [name]
Source: [platform market / skillhub / GitHub / other]
Author: [username]
Version: [version]
---------------------------------------
METRICS:
- Downloads/Stars: [count]
- Last Updated: [date]
- Files Reviewed: [count]
---------------------------------------
RED FLAGS: [None / list them]

PERMISSIONS NEEDED:
- Files: [list or "None"]
- Network: [list or "None"]
- Commands: [list or "None"]
---------------------------------------
RISK LEVEL: [LOW / MEDIUM / HIGH / EXTREME]

VERDICT: [SAFE TO INSTALL / INSTALL WITH CAUTION / DO NOT INSTALL]

NOTES: [Any observations]
=======================================
```

---

## Trust Hierarchy

1. **Official platform skills** (published via platform market) — lower scrutiny (still review)
2. **High-star repos (1000+)** — moderate scrutiny
3. **Known authors** — moderate scrutiny
4. **New or unknown sources** — maximum scrutiny
5. **Skills requesting credentials** — human approval always required

---

## Principles

- No skill is worth compromising security
- When in doubt, do not install
- Escalate high-risk decisions to the user
- Document what you vet for future reference