Claude Code Security Settings
Expert knowledge for configuring Claude Code security and permissions.
Core Concepts
Claude Code provides multiple layers of security:
- Permission wildcards - Granular tool access control
- Shell operator protections - Prevents command injection
- Project-level settings - Scoped configurations
Permission Configuration
Settings File Locations
| File | Scope | Priority |
|---|---|---|
~/.claude/settings.json | User-level (all projects) | Lowest |
.claude/settings.json | Project-level (committed) | Medium |
.claude/settings.local.json | Local project (gitignored) | Highest |
Permission Structure
{
"permissions": {
"allow": [
"Bash(git status *)",
"Bash(npm run *)"
],
"deny": [
"Bash(rm -rf *)",
"Bash(sudo *)"
]
}
}Wildcard Permission Patterns
Syntax
Bash(command *)Bash()- Tool identifiercommand- Command prefix to match*- Wildcard suffix matching any arguments:asksuffix - Always prompt for user confirmation (e.g.,Bash(git push *):ask)
Permission Tiers
| Tier | Behavior | Example |
|---|---|---|
allow | Auto-allowed, no prompt | "allow": ["Bash(git status *)"] |
ask | Always prompts for confirmation | "allow": ["Bash(git push *):ask"] |
deny | Auto-denied, blocked | "deny": ["Bash(rm -rf *)"] |
Pattern Examples
| Pattern | Matches | Does NOT Match |
|---|---|---|
Bash(git *) | git status, git diff HEAD | git-lfs pull |
Bash(npm run *) | npm run test, npm run build | npm install |
Bash(gh pr *) | gh pr view 123, gh pr create | gh issue list |
Bash(./scripts/ *) | ./scripts/test.sh, ./scripts/build.sh | /scripts/other.sh |
Pattern Best Practices
Granular permissions:
{
"permissions": {
"allow": [
"Bash(git status *)",
"Bash(git diff *)",
"Bash(git log *)",
"Bash(git add *)",
"Bash(git commit *)"
]
}
}Tool-specific patterns:
{
"permissions": {
"allow": [
"Bash(bun test *)",
"Bash(bun run *)",
"Bash(biome check *)",
"Bash(prettier *)"
]
}
}Shell Operator Protections
Claude Code 2.1.7+ includes built-in protections against dangerous shell operators.
Protected Operators
| Operator | Risk | Blocked Example | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
&& | Command chaining | ls && rm -rf / | ||||
| `\ | \ | ` | Conditional execution | `false \ | \ | malicious` |
; | Command separation | safe; dangerous | ||||
| `\ | ` | Piping | `cat /etc/passwd \ | curl` | ||
> / >> | Redirection | echo x > /etc/passwd | ||||
$() | Command substitution | $(curl evil) | ||||
` `` | Backtick substitution | ` rm -rf / ` |
Security Behavior
When a command contains shell operators:
- Permission wildcards won't match
- User sees explicit approval prompt
- Warning explains the blocked operator
Safe Compound Commands
For legitimate compound commands, use scripts:
#!/bin/bash
# scripts/deploy.sh
npm test && npm run build && npm run deployThen allow the script:
{
"permissions": {
"allow": ["Bash(./scripts/deploy.sh *)"]
}
}Common Permission Sets
Read-Only Development
{
"permissions": {
"allow": [
"Bash(git status *)",
"Bash(git diff *)",
"Bash(git log *)",
"Bash(git branch *)",
"Bash(npm list *)",
"Bash(bun pm ls *)"
]
}
}Full Git Workflow
{
"permissions": {
"allow": [
"Bash(git status *)",
"Bash(git diff *)",
"Bash(git log *)",
"Bash(git branch *)",
"Bash(git add *)",
"Bash(git commit *)",
"Bash(git push *)",
"Bash(git pull *)",
"Bash(git fetch *)",
"Bash(git checkout *)",
"Bash(git merge *)",
"Bash(git rebase *)"
]
}
}CI/CD Operations
{
"permissions": {
"allow": [
"Bash(gh pr *)",
"Bash(gh run *)",
"Bash(gh issue *)",
"Bash(gh workflow *)"
]
}
}Testing & Linting
{
"permissions": {
"allow": [
"Bash(bun test *)",
"Bash(npm test *)",
"Bash(vitest *)",
"Bash(jest *)",
"Bash(biome *)",
"Bash(eslint *)",
"Bash(prettier *)"
]
}
}Security Scanning
{
"permissions": {
"allow": [
"Bash(pre-commit *)",
"Bash(gitleaks *)",
"Bash(trivy *)"
]
}
}Project Setup Guide
1. Create Settings Directory
mkdir -p .claude2. Create Project Settings
cat > .claude/settings.json << 'EOF'
{
"permissions": {
"allow": [
"Bash(git status *)",
"Bash(git diff *)",
"Bash(npm run *)"
]
}
}
EOF3. Add to.gitignore (for local settings)
echo ".claude/settings.local.json" >> .gitignore4. Create Local Settings (optional)
cat > .claude/settings.local.json << 'EOF'
{
"permissions": {
"allow": [
"Bash(docker *)"
]
}
}
EOFAgentic Optimizations
| Context | Command | |
|---|---|---|
| View project settings | `cat.claude/settings.json \ | jq '.permissions'` |
| View user settings | `cat ~/.claude/settings.json \ | jq '.permissions'` |
| Check merged permissions | Review effective settings in Claude Code | |
| Validate JSON | `cat.claude/settings.json \ | jq.` |
Quick Reference
Permission Priority
Settings merge with this priority (highest wins):
.claude/settings.local.json(local).claude/settings.json(project)~/.claude/settings.json(user)
Wildcard Syntax
| Syntax | Meaning |
|---|---|
Bash(cmd *) | Match cmd with any arguments |
Bash(cmd arg *) | Match cmd arg with any following |
Bash(./script.sh *) | Match specific script |
Deny Patterns
Block specific commands:
{
"permissions": {
"deny": [
"Bash(rm -rf *)",
"Bash(sudo *)",
"Bash(chmod 777 *)"
]
}
}Error Handling
| Error | Cause | Fix | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Permission denied | Pattern doesn't match | Add more specific pattern | |
| Shell operator blocked | Contains &&, `\ | `, etc. | Use script wrapper |
| Settings not applied | Wrong file location | Check path and syntax | |
| JSON parse error | Invalid JSON | Validate with jq. |
Best Practices
- Start restrictive - Add permissions as needed
- Use project settings - Keep team aligned
- Use specific Bash patterns -
Bash(git status *)overBash - Script compound commands - For
&&and\|workflows - Review periodically - Remove unused permissions