secure skill

---
name: secure
description: "Use this skill when the user needs to secure their SaaS app, implement authentication, protect user data, secure APIs, or check for vulnerabilities. Covers OWASP Top 10, auth best practices, data protection, and security checklists for apps built with AI tools."
---

# Security

## Security Checklist

```
Security Basics:
- [ ] Authentication required for protected routes
- [ ] Passwords hashed (bcrypt/argon2), never stored plain text
- [ ] API keys in environment variables, not code
- [ ] HTTPS only in production
- [ ] Input validated on server side
- [ ] SQL injection prevented (use parameterized queries)
- [ ] XSS prevented (sanitize user input)
- [ ] CSRF tokens on forms
- [ ] Rate limiting on API endpoints
- [ ] User sessions expire (30min-1hr typical)
```

See [COMMON-VULNS.md](COMMON-VULNS.md) for detailed checks.

---

## Critical: Never Store These in Code

**Move to environment variables:**
- Database passwords
- API keys (Stripe, SendGrid, etc)
- JWT secrets
- OAuth client secrets
- Encryption keys

**Tell AI:**
```
Store API keys in .env file, not in code.
Add .env to .gitignore.
Access via process.env.API_KEY
```

---

## Authentication Basics

**Minimum requirements:**
- Passwords: 8+ chars, require number/symbol
- Hash passwords (bcrypt with 10+ rounds)
- Email verification for signups
- Password reset via email only
- Sessions expire (30-60 min idle)
- Logout clears session completely

**Tell AI:**
```
Add authentication:
- bcrypt for password hashing (12 rounds)
- Email verification required
- Session timeout: 30 minutes
- Password requirements: 8+ chars, 1 number, 1 symbol
```

See [SECURITY-PROMPTS.md](SECURITY-PROMPTS.md) for implementation details.

---

## Data Protection

**Always encrypt:**
- Passwords (hashed, not encrypted)
- Payment info (use Stripe, don't store cards)
- Personal identifiable information (PII)

**Never log:**
- Passwords (even hashed)
- Credit card numbers
- API keys
- Session tokens

**Tell AI:**
```
Never log sensitive data.
Replace passwords/tokens with "[REDACTED]" in logs.
```

---

## API Security

**Required for all API endpoints:**
- Authentication check
- Rate limiting (prevent abuse)
- Input validation
- Error messages don't leak info

**Tell AI:**
```
Add to all API routes:
- Require valid auth token
- Rate limit: 100 requests/minute per IP
- Validate all inputs (reject invalid)
- Generic error messages (no stack traces to users)
```

---

## Common Vulnerabilities

**Most common in AI-built apps:**

1. **Exposed API keys** - In code instead of .env
2. **No rate limiting** - APIs can be spammed
3. **Missing auth checks** - Routes accessible without login
4. **SQL injection** - Raw SQL with user input
5. **XSS attacks** - Unescaped user content displayed

See [COMMON-VULNS.md](COMMON-VULNS.md) for how to check.

---

## Security Prompts for AI

**Adding authentication:**
```
Add authentication to this route.
Require valid JWT token.
Return 401 if missing/invalid.
Don't expose error details.
```

**Rate limiting:**
```
Add rate limiting:
- 100 requests/minute per IP
- Return 429 "Too many requests" if exceeded
- Use sliding window, not fixed
```

**Input validation:**
```
Validate all user inputs:
- Email: valid format
- Password: 8+ chars, 1 number, 1 symbol
- Username: alphanumeric only, 3-20 chars
Reject invalid input with clear error message
```

See [SECURITY-PROMPTS.md](SECURITY-PROMPTS.md) for more.

---

## Pre-Launch Security Review

**Before deploying:**

```
Production Security:
- [ ] All secrets in environment variables
- [ ] HTTPS enforced (no HTTP)
- [ ] Database backups configured
- [ ] Rate limiting on all APIs
- [ ] Error pages don't show stack traces
- [ ] Admin routes protected
- [ ] File uploads validated (type, size)
- [ ] CORS configured (not wildcard "*")
```

---

## When to Get Security Audit

**Signs you need expert review:**
- Handling payments directly (not Stripe)
- Storing health/financial data
- Multi-tenant with data isolation
- Over 1,000 users
- Processing sensitive PII

**For most MVPs:** Following this checklist is sufficient.

---

## Common Founder Mistakes

| Mistake | Fix |
|---------|-----|
| API keys in code | Move to .env |
| No rate limiting | Add to all endpoints |
| Plain text passwords | Use bcrypt |
| HTTP in production | Force HTTPS |
| Accepting all CORS | Whitelist domains |
| No input validation | Validate server-side |
| Detailed error messages | Generic messages only |

---

## Quick Wins

**Easy security improvements:**

1. Add Helmet.js (Node) - Sets security headers
2. Use HTTPS everywhere - Force in production
3. Add rate limiting - Prevents abuse
4. Environment variables - Keep secrets safe
5. Update dependencies - Fix known vulnerabilities

**Tell AI:**
```
Add helmet.js for security headers.
Configure for production (HTTPS, CSP, XSS protection).
```

---

## Testing Security

**Quick checks:**

**Exposed secrets:**
```bash
grep -r "api_key" src/
grep -r "password" src/
# Should only find references to env vars
```

**No auth bypass:**
- Try accessing protected routes without login
- Should redirect to login or return 401

**Rate limiting works:**
- Hit API endpoint 100 times quickly
- Should get 429 error

---

## Success Looks Like

✅ No secrets in code (all in .env)  
✅ Can't access protected routes without auth  
✅ Passwords hashed, never stored plain text  
✅ Rate limiting prevents abuse  
✅ HTTPS enforced in production  
✅ Input validated on server side