---
name: Maestro Guard
slug: maestro-guard
category: Automation
description: Maestro Guard manages directory-level write boundaries in .workflow/config.json. Use it to turn protection on or off, set allow/deny paths, and check whether the workflow-guard hook is active.
github: "https://github.com/catlog22/maestro-flow/tree/master/.codex/skills/maestro-guard"
language: TypeScript
stars: 530
forks: 65
install: "npx degit https://github.com/catlog22/maestro-flow/tree/master/.codex/skills/maestro-guard ~/.claude/skills/maestro-guard"
installs_to: ~/.claude/skills/maestro-guard
source_path: .codex/skills/maestro-guard/SKILL.md
collection_size: 25
category_size: 1523
collection_url: "https://dirskills.com/collections/catlog22/maestro-flow"
added: 2026-08-26T05:11:52.131Z
last_synced: 2026-08-26T05:11:52.131Z
canonical_url: "https://dirskills.com/skills/maestro-guard"
---

# Maestro Guard

Maestro Guard manages directory-level write boundaries in .workflow/config.json. Use it to turn protection on or off, set allow/deny paths, and check whether the workflow-guard hook is active.

**Install:**

```bash
npx degit https://github.com/catlog22/maestro-flow/tree/master/.codex/skills/maestro-guard ~/.claude/skills/maestro-guard
```

## README

<purpose>
Configure directory-level write boundaries enforced by the workflow-guard PreToolUse hook.
Subcommands: on, off, status, allow `<path>`, deny `<path>`, remove `<path>`, clear.
</purpose>

<context>
$ARGUMENTS — Parse subcommand and optional path argument.

**Config location:** `.workflow/config.json` → `guard` section

```json
{
  "guard": {
    "enabled": false,
    "mode": "allow",
    "paths": []
  }
}
```

**Enforcement:** The `workflow-guard` hook (PreToolUse on Write/Edit) reads this config
and blocks operations targeting files outside boundaries. Requires hooks level >= `full`.

**Output boundary**: ALL file writes MUST target `.workflow/config.json` (guard section) only. NEVER modify hook files, `.claude/settings.json`, or source code.
</context>

<invariants>
1. **Config-only mutation** — guard MUST only modify the `guard` section of `.workflow/config.json`; NEVER touch other config sections or files
2. **Non-destructive** — `off` MUST preserve existing paths and mode; NEVER clear the path list when disabling
3. **Mode switch confirmation** — switching between allow/deny mode MUST require request_user_input confirmation when existing paths will be cleared
4. **Hook dependency** — guard MUST warn when enabled but `workflow-guard` hook is not active (hooks level < full)
5. **Path normalization** — all paths MUST use forward slashes with trailing slash for directories; NEVER store raw backslash paths
</invariants>

<execution>

### Phase Gates (MANDATORY, BLOCKING)

**GATE 1: Parse → Config Read**
- REQUIRED: Subcommand parsed (on/off/status/allow/deny/remove/clear) or defaulted to `status`.
- BLOCKED if: invalid subcommand provided.

**GATE 2: Config Read → Execute**
- REQUIRED: `.workflow/config.json` read successfully or initialized with empty guard section.
- BLOCKED if: file unreadable and cannot be created (E001).

**GATE 3: Execute → Confirm**
- REQUIRED: Config mutation applied (for on/off/allow/deny) or status displayed (for status).
- REQUIRED: Mode-switch request_user_input answered (for allow↔deny transitions with existing paths).
- BLOCKED if: user declines mode switch.

**Step 1: Parse subcommand**

Extract from $ARGUMENTS:
- `on` / `off` / `status` / `allow <path>` / `deny <path>`
- If no subcommand, default to `status`

**Step 2: Read config**

Read `.workflow/config.json`. If file missing, initialize with empty guard section.

**Step 3: Execute subcommand**

**`status`:**
- Display: enabled/disabled, mode (allow/deny), paths list
- Check if workflow-guard hook is active (read `.claude/settings.json` for hook presence)
- If guard enabled but hook not active, warn: "⚠ PathGuard enabled but workflow-guard hook not installed. Run `maestro hooks level full` to activate."

**`on`:**
- Set `guard.enabled = true`
- If `guard.paths` is empty, set default: `["src/", "tests/", ".workflow/"]`
- Check hook level, warn if < full
- Write config

**`off`:**
- Set `guard.enabled = false`
- Preserve existing paths and mode
- Write config

**`allow <path>`:**
- Normalize path to forward slashes, ensure trailing slash for directories
- If `guard.mode` is `deny`, request_user_input: "Switching from deny to allow mode will clear existing paths ({N} paths). Continue?" — abort if user declines. Clear `guard.paths` (mode switch invalidates previous path list).
- Set `guard.mode = "allow"`
- Add path to `guard.paths` (deduplicate)
- Set `guard.enabled = true` if not already
- Write config

**`deny <path>`:**
- Normalize path to forward slashes, ensure trailing slash for directories
- If `guard.mode` is `allow`, request_user_input: "Switching from allow to deny mode will clear existing paths ({N} paths). Continue?" — abort if user declines. Clear `guard.paths` (mode switch invalidates previous path list).
- Set `guard.mode = "deny"`
- Add path to `guard.paths` (deduplicate)
- Set `guard.enabled = true` if not already (symmetric with `allow`: adding a deny path auto-enables the guard)
- Write config

**`remove <path>`:**
- Normalize path
- Remove from `guard.paths` (if present)
- Write config

**`clear`:**
- Set `guard.paths = []`
- Write config

**Step 4: Confirm**

Display updated guard configuration.

</execution>

<error_codes>
- E001: `.workflow/config.json` not found and cannot be created (not a maestro project)
- W001: PathGuard enabled but workflow-guard hook not installed
</error_codes>

<success_criteria>
- [ ] Config read/written correctly
- [ ] Hook level warning displayed when applicable
- [ ] Updated configuration shown after changes
</success_criteria>

<completion>
### Next-step routing
| Condition | Suggestion |
|-----------|-----------|
| Guard enabled, hook not installed | `maestro hooks level full` |
| Want to verify guard works | Edit a file outside allowed paths |
</completion>