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Git Guardrails Claude Code

Matt PocockCommunityCreated by Matt Pocock

  • Skill
  • Workflow
  • Software development
  • MIT
  • Low risk
  • Has scripts
Download ZIP

From the author

Set up Claude Code hooks to block dangerous git commands (push, reset --hard, clean, branch -D, etc.) before they execute. Use when user wants to prevent destructive git operations, add git safety hooks, or block git push/reset in Claude Code.
— the description by Matt Pocock

AutoGineer summary

Written by AutoGineer from the skill’s own files, not by the author

This skill provides a structured procedure to configure PreToolUse hooks within Claude Code. By intercepting bash commands, it prevents the agent from executing potentially harmful Git operations such as forced pushes, hard resets, or branch deletions. The process involves deploying a shell script and updating the agent's configuration file to ensure these commands are blocked before they reach the terminal.

What it does

  • Intercepts bash commands executed by Claude Code using PreToolUse hooks.
  • Blocks dangerous Git operations including push, reset, clean, and branch deletion.
  • Supports both project-specific and global configuration scopes.
  • Provides a mechanism to customize the list of blocked commands.
  • Includes verification steps to ensure the guardrails are active.

When to use it

  • When you want to prevent Claude Code from accidentally modifying or deleting repository history.
  • When working in sensitive environments where destructive Git commands should be restricted.
  • When you need to enforce safety policies for automated Git operations.

Advantages

  • Reduces the risk of accidental data loss or repository corruption.
  • Allows for granular control over which Git commands an agent can perform.
  • Flexible deployment options for individual projects or global settings.

Usage examples

“Set up git guardrails for this project.”
The agent will guide you through copying the block script to your project's .claude/hooks directory and updating the local settings.json to intercept dangerous commands.
“I want to prevent Claude from ever running git push.”
The agent will help you install the hook script and verify that any attempt to execute git push is blocked with an error message.

Install

  1. Download the skill as a ZIP:

    https://autogineer.com/agent-skills/mattpocock/git-guardrails-claude-code/download

  2. Unzip it into the cross-client skills folder of your project:

    mkdir -p .agents/skills && unzip git-guardrails-claude-code.zip -d .agents/skills

Documentation by Matt Pocock

Setup Git Guardrails

Sets up a PreToolUse hook that intercepts and blocks dangerous git commands before Claude executes them.

What Gets Blocked

  • git push (all variants including --force)

  • git reset --hard

  • git clean -f / git clean -fd

  • git branch -D

  • git checkout . / git restore .

When blocked, Claude sees a message telling it that it does not have authority to access these commands.

Steps

1. Ask scope

Ask the user: install for this project only (.claude/settings.json) or all projects (~/.claude/settings.json)?

2. Copy the hook script

The bundled script is at: scripts/block-dangerous-git.sh

Copy it to the target location based on scope:

  • Project: .claude/hooks/block-dangerous-git.sh

  • Global: ~/.claude/hooks/block-dangerous-git.sh

Make it executable with chmod +x.

3. Add hook to settings

Add to the appropriate settings file:

Project (.claude/settings.json):

{
  "hooks": {
    "PreToolUse": [
      {
        "matcher": "Bash",
        "hooks": [
          {
            "type": "command",
            "command": "\"$CLAUDE_PROJECT_DIR\"/.claude/hooks/block-dangerous-git.sh"
          }
        ]
      }
    ]
  }
}

Global (~/.claude/settings.json):

{
  "hooks": {
    "PreToolUse": [
      {
        "matcher": "Bash",
        "hooks": [
          {
            "type": "command",
            "command": "~/.claude/hooks/block-dangerous-git.sh"
          }
        ]
      }
    ]
  }
}

If the settings file already exists, merge the hook into the existing hooks.PreToolUse array. Don't overwrite other settings.

4. Ask about customization

Ask if user wants to add or remove any patterns from the blocked list. Edit the copied script accordingly.

5. Verify

Run a quick test:

echo '{"tool_input":{"command":"git push origin main"}}' | <path-to-script>

Should exit with code 2 and print a BLOCKED message to stderr.

Files

scripts/block-dangerous-git.sh

#!/bin/bash

INPUT=$(cat)
COMMAND=$(echo "$INPUT" | jq -r '.tool_input.command')

DANGEROUS_PATTERNS=(
  "git push"
  "git reset --hard"
  "git clean -fd"
  "git clean -f"
  "git branch -D"
  "git checkout \."
  "git restore \."
  "push --force"
  "reset --hard"
)

for pattern in "${DANGEROUS_PATTERNS[@]}"; do
  if echo "$COMMAND" | grep -qE "$pattern"; then
    echo "BLOCKED: '$COMMAND' matches dangerous pattern '$pattern'. The user has prevented you from doing this." >&2
    exit 2
  fi
done

exit 0

Requirements and compatibility

Works with: Claude Code, Claude apps, OpenAI Codex, GitHub Copilot, Cursor, Gemini CLI, Kiro, OpenCode, Goose, Amp, Roo Code, JetBrains Junie, Factory Droid, Devin (ex-Windsurf), Mistral Vibe, OpenHands, Letta

“Works with” means the tool reads the open Agent Skills format; a skill written for one tool may use features others lack.

Security

What our scanner noticed· Low risk

  • Scripts that your agent may run

This skill includes scripts that your agent may run. Read them before you use it.

A static scan is not a guarantee. Skills are third-party content: review a skill before you let an agent use it.

Attribution and licence

Created by
Matt Pocock
Publisher
Matt Pocock (Community)
Source
mattpocock/skills · skills/misc/git-guardrails-claude-code · commit 4ae2317
Licence
MIT License (redistribution allowed)
  • LICENSE (added by AutoGineer from LICENSE)
  • ATTRIBUTION.md (written by AutoGineer)
Synced

AutoGineer is not affiliated with or endorsed by Matt Pocock or Matt Pocock.

Download ZIP

The ZIP holds the skill’s files, its licence files and an ATTRIBUTION.md. Download git-guardrails-claude-code.zip