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Shellcheck Configuration

Seth HobsonCommunityCreated by Ryan SnodgrassDistributed by Seth Hobson

  • Skill
  • Tool integration
  • Software development
  • MIT
  • No issues found

From the author

Master ShellCheck static analysis configuration and usage for shell script quality. Use when setting up linting infrastructure, fixing code issues, or ensuring script portability.
— the description by Ryan Snodgrass

AutoGineer summary

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

This skill provides comprehensive guidance on using ShellCheck to perform static analysis on shell scripts. It covers installation, project-level configuration via .shellcheckrc, environment variable management, and strategies for integrating linting into CI/CD pipelines and local development workflows. The documentation includes explanations of common error codes, best practices for suppressing false positives, and techniques for enforcing strict code quality standards across various shell dialects.

What it does

  • Configures ShellCheck for specific shell dialects like bash, sh, or ksh.
  • Defines project-level linting rules using .shellcheckrc files.
  • Integrates static analysis into CI/CD pipelines to enforce quality gates.
  • Provides guidance on interpreting and addressing common ShellCheck error codes.
  • Demonstrates how to suppress false positives and manage rule exclusions.
  • Supports local development through editor integration and pre-commit hooks.

When to use it

  • When setting up automated linting infrastructure for shell scripts.
  • When auditing existing scripts to identify bugs and portability issues.
  • When migrating scripts to meet specific POSIX or bash standards.
  • When you need to enforce consistent coding styles across a team.
  • When you need to troubleshoot complex shell script warnings.

Advantages

  • Reduces common shell scripting pitfalls and runtime errors.
  • Ensures script portability across different shell environments.
  • Automates code quality checks within CI/CD pipelines.
  • Provides actionable feedback for improving script maintainability.
  • Allows for granular control over linting rules and exclusions.

Usage examples

“How do I configure my project to ignore specific ShellCheck warnings?”
The agent explains how to create a .shellcheckrc file in the project root and use the disable directive to exclude specific error codes like SC1091 or SC2086.
“How can I integrate ShellCheck into my CI/CD pipeline?”
The agent provides a script snippet using find to locate all .sh files and run them through ShellCheck, failing the build if any issues are detected.
“What is the best way to ensure my script is POSIX compliant?”
The agent demonstrates using the --shell=sh flag and explains how to address common POSIX compliance warnings like SC3010 and SC3043.

Install

  1. Download the skill as a ZIP:

    https://autogineer.com/agent-skills/wshobson/shellcheck-configuration/download
  2. Unzip it into the cross-client skills folder of your project:

    mkdir -p .agents/skills && unzip shellcheck-configuration.zip -d .agents/skills

Documentation by Ryan Snodgrass

ShellCheck Configuration and Static Analysis

Comprehensive guidance for configuring and using ShellCheck to improve shell script quality, catch common pitfalls, and enforce best practices through static code analysis.

When to Use This Skill

  • Setting up linting for shell scripts in CI/CD pipelines

  • Analyzing existing shell scripts for issues

  • Understanding ShellCheck error codes and warnings

  • Configuring ShellCheck for specific project requirements

  • Integrating ShellCheck into development workflows

  • Suppressing false positives and configuring rule sets

  • Enforcing consistent code quality standards

  • Migrating scripts to meet quality gates

Detailed patterns and worked examples

Detailed pattern documentation lives in references/details.md. Read that file when the navigation tier above is insufficient.

Best Practices

  1. Run ShellCheck in CI/CD - Catch issues before merging

  2. Configure for your target shell - Don't analyze bash as sh

  3. Document exclusions - Explain why violations are suppressed

  4. Address violations - Don't just disable warnings

  5. Enable strict mode - Use --enable=all with careful exclusions

  6. Update regularly - Keep ShellCheck current for new checks

  7. Use pre-commit hooks - Catch issues locally before pushing

  8. Integrate with editors - Get real-time feedback during development

Files

references/details.md

shellcheck-configuration — detailed patterns and worked examples

ShellCheck Fundamentals

What is ShellCheck?

ShellCheck is a static analysis tool that analyzes shell scripts and detects problematic patterns. It supports:

  • Bash, sh, dash, ksh, and other POSIX shells

  • Over 100 different warnings and errors

  • Configuration for target shell and flags

  • Integration with editors and CI/CD systems

Installation
# macOS with Homebrew
brew install shellcheck

# Ubuntu/Debian
apt-get install shellcheck

# From source
git clone https://github.com/koalaman/shellcheck.git
cd shellcheck
make build
make install

# Verify installation
shellcheck --version

Configuration Files

.shellcheckrc (Project Level)

Create .shellcheckrc in your project root:

# Specify target shell
shell=bash

# Enable optional checks
enable=avoid-nullary-conditions
enable=require-variable-braces

# Disable specific warnings
disable=SC1091
disable=SC2086
Environment Variables
# Set default shell target
export SHELLCHECK_SHELL=bash

# Enable strict mode
export SHELLCHECK_STRICT=true

# Specify configuration file location
export SHELLCHECK_CONFIG=~/.shellcheckrc

Common ShellCheck Error Codes

SC1000-1099: Parser Errors
# SC1004: Backslash continuation not followed by newline
echo hello\
world  # Error - needs line continuation

# SC1008: Invalid data for operator `=='
if [[ $var =  "value" ]]; then  # Space before ==
    true
fi
SC2000-2099: Shell Issues
# SC2009: Consider using pgrep or pidof instead of grep|grep
ps aux | grep -v grep | grep myprocess  # Use pgrep instead

# SC2012: Use `ls` only for viewing. Use `find` for reliable output
for file in $(ls -la)  # Better: use find or globbing

# SC2015: Avoid using && and || instead of if-then-else
[[ -f "$file" ]] && echo "found" || echo "not found"  # Less clear

# SC2016: Expressions don't expand in single quotes
echo '$VAR'  # Literal $VAR, not variable expansion

# SC2026: This word is non-standard. Set POSIXLY_CORRECT
# when using with scripts for other shells
SC2100-2199: Quoting Issues
# SC2086: Double quote to prevent globbing and word splitting
for i in $list; do  # Should be: for i in $list or for i in "$list"
    echo "$i"
done

# SC2115: Literal tilde in path not expanded. Use $HOME instead
~/.bashrc  # In strings, use "$HOME/.bashrc"

# SC2181: Check exit code directly with `if`, not indirectly in a list
some_command
if [ $? -eq 0 ]; then  # Better: if some_command; then

# SC2206: Quote to prevent word splitting or set IFS
array=( $items )  # Should use: array=( $items )
SC3000-3999: POSIX Compliance Issues
# SC3010: In POSIX sh, use 'case' instead of 'cond && foo'
[[ $var == "value" ]] && do_something  # Not POSIX

# SC3043: In POSIX sh, use 'local' is undefined
function my_func() {
    local var=value  # Not POSIX in some shells
}

Practical Configuration Examples

Minimal Configuration (Strict POSIX)
#!/bin/bash
# Configure for maximum portability

shellcheck \
  --shell=sh \
  --external-sources \
  --check-sourced \
  script.sh
Development Configuration (Bash with Relaxed Rules)
#!/bin/bash
# Configure for Bash development

shellcheck \
  --shell=bash \
  --exclude=SC1091,SC2119 \
  --enable=all \
  script.sh
CI/CD Integration Configuration
#!/bin/bash
set -Eeuo pipefail

# Analyze all shell scripts and fail on issues
find . -type f -name "*.sh" | while read -r script; do
    echo "Checking: $script"
    shellcheck \
        --shell=bash \
        --format=gcc \
        --exclude=SC1091 \
        "$script" || exit 1
done
.shellcheckrc for Project
# Shell dialect to analyze against
shell=bash

# Enable optional checks
enable=avoid-nullary-conditions,require-variable-braces,check-unassigned-uppercase

# Disable specific warnings
# SC1091: Not following sourced files (many false positives)
disable=SC1091

# SC2119: Use function_name instead of function_name -- (arguments)
disable=SC2119

# External files to source for context
external-sources=true

Integration Patterns

Pre-commit Hook Configuration
#!/bin/bash
# .git/hooks/pre-commit

#!/bin/bash
set -e

# Find all shell scripts changed in this commit
git diff --cached --name-only | grep '\.sh$' | while read -r script; do
    echo "Linting: $script"

    if ! shellcheck "$script"; then
        echo "ShellCheck failed on $script"
        exit 1
    fi
done
GitHub Actions Workflow
name: ShellCheck

on: [push, pull_request]

jobs:
  shellcheck:
    runs-on: ubuntu-latest

    steps:
      - uses: actions/checkout@v3

      - name: Run ShellCheck
        run: |
          sudo apt-get install shellcheck
          find . -type f -name "*.sh" -exec shellcheck {} \;
GitLab CI Pipeline
shellcheck:
  stage: lint
  image: koalaman/shellcheck-alpine
  script:
    - find . -type f -name "*.sh" -exec shellcheck {} \;
  allow_failure: false

Handling ShellCheck Violations

Suppressing Specific Warnings
#!/bin/bash

# Disable warning for entire line
# shellcheck disable=SC2086
for file in $(ls -la); do
    echo "$file"
done

# Disable for entire script
# shellcheck disable=SC1091,SC2119

# Disable multiple warnings (format varies)
command_that_fails() {
    # shellcheck disable=SC2015
    [ -f "$1" ] && echo "found" || echo "not found"
}

# Disable specific check for source directive
# shellcheck source=./helper.sh
source helper.sh
Common Violations and Fixes
SC2086: Double quote to prevent word splitting
# Problem
for i in $list; do done

# Solution
for i in $list; do done  # If $list is already quoted, or
for i in "${list[@]}"; do done  # If list is an array
SC2181: Check exit code directly
# Problem
some_command
if [ $? -eq 0 ]; then
    echo "success"
fi

# Solution
if some_command; then
    echo "success"
fi
SC2015: Use if-then instead of && ||
# Problem
[ -f "$file" ] && echo "exists" || echo "not found"

# Solution - clearer intent
if [ -f "$file" ]; then
    echo "exists"
else
    echo "not found"
fi
SC2016: Expressions don't expand in single quotes
# Problem
echo 'Variable value: $VAR'

# Solution
echo "Variable value: $VAR"
SC2009: Use pgrep instead of grep
# Problem
ps aux | grep -v grep | grep myprocess

# Solution
pgrep -f myprocess

Performance Optimization

Checking Multiple Files
#!/bin/bash

# Sequential checking
for script in *.sh; do
    shellcheck "$script"
done

# Parallel checking (faster)
find . -name "*.sh" -print0 | \
    xargs -0 -P 4 -n 1 shellcheck
Caching Results
#!/bin/bash

CACHE_DIR=".shellcheck_cache"
mkdir -p "$CACHE_DIR"

check_script() {
    local script="$1"
    local hash
    local cache_file

    hash=$(sha256sum "$script" | cut -d' ' -f1)
    cache_file="$CACHE_DIR/$hash"

    if [[ ! -f "$cache_file" ]]; then
        if shellcheck "$script" > "$cache_file" 2>&1; then
            touch "$cache_file.ok"
        else
            return 1
        fi
    fi

    [[ -f "$cache_file.ok" ]]
}

find . -name "*.sh" | while read -r script; do
    check_script "$script" || exit 1
done

Output Formats

Default Format
shellcheck script.sh

# Output:
# script.sh:1:3: warning: foo is referenced but not assigned. [SC2154]
GCC Format (for CI/CD)
shellcheck --format=gcc script.sh

# Output:
# script.sh:1:3: warning: foo is referenced but not assigned.
JSON Format (for parsing)
shellcheck --format=json script.sh

# Output:
# [{"file": "script.sh", "line": 1, "column": 3, "level": "warning", "code": 2154, "message": "..."}]
Quiet Format
shellcheck --format=quiet script.sh

# Returns non-zero if issues found, no output otherwise

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

No issues found by our static scan· No issues found

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
Ryan Snodgrass
Publisher
Seth Hobson (Community)
Distributed by
Seth Hobson
Source
wshobson/agents · plugins/shell-scripting/skills/shellcheck-configuration · commit 4bde316
Licence
MIT License (redistribution allowed)
  • LICENSE (added by AutoGineer from LICENSE)
  • ATTRIBUTION.md (written by AutoGineer)
Synced

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Download ZIP

The ZIP holds the skill’s files, its licence files and an ATTRIBUTION.md. Download shellcheck-configuration.zip