agent-permissions

name	agent-permissions
description	Claims-based access control for multi-agent coordination. Defines what each agent can read, write, execute, and spawn. Enforces least-privilege: agents only access what they need. Use when: spawning agents, multi-agent tasks, security-sensitive operations. Skip when: single-agent inline work, trivial tasks.
tags	["security","orchestration","agents"]
triggers	["agent permissions","use agent permissions","run agent permissions"]

Agent Permissions — Claims-Based Access Control

Purpose: Not every agent should touch every file. The permissions system enforces least-privilege so agents can only access what their role requires.

Claim Types

Claim	Description	Example
read	View file contents	Explorer reads any file
write	Create or modify files	Writer edits .ts files
execute	Run shell commands	Debugger runs test suites
spawn	Create sub-agents	Architect spawns writer agents
memory	Access shared memory files	Debugger reads MISTAKES.md
network	Make external API/web calls	Researcher browses with Playwright
admin	All permissions + config changes	Only Bravo lead agent

Permission Levels

Levels are cumulative — each includes all claims from the level below:

Level	Claims	Agents
minimal	read	explorer, researcher, revenue-hunter
standard	read, write, execute	writer, reviewer, chief-of-staff, git-ops, documenter
elevated	standard + spawn, memory	architect, debugger, workflow-builder, meta-agent
admin	all claims	Bravo lead agent only

Scope Restrictions

Each agent's write access is limited to specific file patterns:

Agent	Writable Scopes	Rationale
writer	**/*.ts, **/*.tsx, **/*.js, **/*.py, **/*.css, **/*.json	Code files only
reviewer	**/* (read) + auto-fix on code files	Can read everything, write only for mechanical fixes
documenter	**/*.md, brain/**, memory/**, skills/**	Markdown and intelligence files
explorer	(none — read-only by design)	Never writes, edits, or deletes
(Maven sub-agents: content-creator, social-publisher, video-editor )	Live in ../CMO-Agent/agents/ — delegate via Maven, not invoked locally	Maven owns content/posting/video pipelines
git-ops	.git/**, staging area	Git operations only
architect	**/*.md (plans, docs)	Designs only, never writes code directly

Blocked Patterns (Universal)

NO agent — regardless of permission level — can access:

.env*                    # Credentials
*.pem, *.key             # Certificates
credentials*.json        # Service accounts
.obsidian/**             # Obsidian config (managed by app)

These are enforced by both this skill AND the Claude Code hooks in .claude/settings.local.json.

How to Check Permissions

Before an agent performs an action, validate:

PERMISSION CHECK:
  Agent: [agent name]
  Action: [read | write | execute | spawn | memory | network]
  Target: [file path or resource]
  Level: [minimal | standard | elevated | admin]

  Result: [ALLOWED | DENIED — reason]

If DENIED:

1. Log the denied action (for audit trail)
2. Check if a different agent has the required permission
3. If no agent can do it, escalate to CC

Permission Escalation

When an agent needs to exceed its permissions:

1. Temporary escalation — Agent requests elevated access for a specific action
2. The request must include: what action, why it's needed, which files
3. CC approves or denies
4. If approved, the escalation is logged and expires after the task completes

This should be RARE. If an agent frequently needs escalation, its base permission level is wrong — update .agents/config.toml [permissions.agents].

Integration with Task Routing

When the task routing skill assigns agents:

1. Check each assigned agent's permission level
2. Verify the agent can access all files in the routing decision
3. If permission gap exists, either:
   • Add a higher-permission agent to the team
   • Request temporary escalation from CC

Config Reference

All permission settings are in .agents/config.toml:

• [permissions.agents] — Per-agent permission levels
• [permissions.scopes] — Per-agent file glob restrictions
• [permissions.blocked] — Universal blocked patterns

Obsidian Links

• [[brain/AGENTS]] | [[skills/task-routing/SKILL]]
• [[skills/security-protocol/SKILL]] | [[brain/CAPABILITIES]]