| name | dependency-review |
| description | Independent dependency risk review for manifest, lockfile, and package upgrade changes. Use for requests like "dependency review", "lockfile review", "package upgrade review", or when preflight requires dependency review. Do NOT use for general code review without dependency scope. |
| allowed-tools | ["Read","Grep","Glob","Bash(*)","Write"] |
| metadata | {"author":"garda-agent-orchestrator","version":"1.0.0","runtime_requirement":"Node.js 24 baseline for public CLI and gate commands"} |
Dependency Review
Use this skill for independent dependency-change risk assessment.
Prioritize supply-chain integrity, runtime compatibility, and operational blast radius.
Required Inputs
- Task goal and expected dependency outcome.
- Changed manifest, lockfile, and version pin files.
- Diff summary for package additions, removals, and upgrades.
- Optional review-context artifact from orchestration:
garda-agent-orchestrator/runtime/reviews/<task-id>-<review-type>-review-context.json.
- Rule context package selected by orchestration and explicitly passed to reviewer:
- token economy active +
depth=1: only 00-core.md, 80-task-workflow.md, and dependency-triggered rule ids/snippets for changed scope.
- token economy active +
depth=2: 00-core.md, 35-strict-coding-rules.md, 70-security.md, 80-task-workflow.md.
- token economy disabled or
depth=3: full required dependency rule set for changed scope.
Token Economy Mode
- Config source:
garda-agent-orchestrator/live/config/token-economy.json.
- Apply this section only when
enabled=true and effective depth is in enabled_depths.
- Default policy keeps
enabled_depths=[1,2], so depth=3 follows full review behavior.
- If a deployment explicitly includes
3 in enabled_depths, keep the full review scope and allow only non-scope-reducing compaction.
- While active, this section takes precedence over any static rule-file list in
Required Inputs.
- If orchestration provides review-context artifact, treat its
rule_pack.selected_rule_files, rule_pack.omitted_rule_files, token_economy.omitted_sections, and nested rule_context.* metadata as the source of truth for compact dependency review scope.
- When
rule_context.artifact_path is present, use that markdown snapshot as the primary rule text instead of reloading raw rule files.
Review Workflow
- Identify manifest, lockfile, and package-manager scope from changed files.
- Load checklist from
references/dependency-review-checklist.md.
- Validate pinning strategy, major-version jumps, and transitive-risk visibility.
- Validate changelog, release-note, or migration-impact evidence for breaking upgrades.
- Validate runtime/build/test compatibility assumptions for changed packages.
- Validate license, integrity, and supply-chain handling for newly introduced dependencies.
- Use artifact structure from
garda-agent-orchestrator/live/docs/reviews/TEMPLATE.md.
- Produce final dependency verdict.
Mandatory Output Format
Return the generated output template, not a free-form summary. Preserve these headings exactly and in this order:
## Validation Notes - concrete reviewed dependency files, behavior, boundaries, and verification evidence; required for PASS.
## Findings by Severity - active blocking dependency findings with file references, or none.
## Deferred Findings - accepted actionable dependency follow-ups with a concrete next step and Justification:, or none.
## Residual Risks - active open dependency or rollout risks that remain after review, or none.
## Verdict - exact verdict token: DEPENDENCY REVIEW PASSED or DEPENDENCY REVIEW FAILED.
Hard Fail Conditions
Return DEPENDENCY REVIEW FAILED when any item is true:
- Unreviewed major-version upgrade or incompatible range widening exists.
- Newly added dependency lacks provenance, integrity, or maintenance justification.
- Lockfile or manifest drift can produce non-deterministic installs.
- Breaking dependency change lacks migration/testing evidence.
- Evidence is missing or non-auditable.
Evidence Rules
- Use file references with line numbers when possible.
- Include exact package names and before/after version evidence.
- Include required remediation for each blocking finding.