Claude Code Security Checklist
Last updated: January 12, 2026
Use this checklist to ensure your Claude Code application is secure before launch. 9 critical items require immediate attention.
Why This Security Checklist Matters
Security checklists serve as systematic guides for identifying vulnerabilities that might otherwise be overlooked during rapid development cycles. For Claude Code applications specifically, this checklist addresses the most common security gaps that emerge when using AI-assisted development workflows.
Research from multiple security organizations indicates that approximately 80% of AI-built applications contain at least one exploitable vulnerability at launch. The vulnerabilities are often predictable—they follow patterns that this checklist is designed to catch. By systematically reviewing each item, you significantly reduce the risk of launching an insecure application.
Unlike generic security checklists, this guide focuses specifically on vulnerabilities prevalent in Claude Code applications. Each item has been prioritized based on real-world attack patterns and the potential impact of exploitation. Critical items should be addressed before any production deployment.
Critical Priority
Critical items can lead to complete application compromise, data breaches, or unauthorized access to all user accounts. These must be addressed before deploying to production. Attackers actively scan for these vulnerabilities.
High Priority
High priority items represent significant security risks that could allow unauthorized access to sensitive data or functionality. While not immediately catastrophic, these vulnerabilities should be fixed as soon as possible.
Medium/Low Priority
Medium and low priority items strengthen your overall security posture. While they may not be immediately exploitable, addressing them prevents attack chains and defense-in-depth gaps.
Manual vs Automated Security Checking
While manual security reviews are thorough, they're time-consuming and prone to human error. Automated scanning catches common vulnerabilities instantly, freeing you to focus on business logic and complex security decisions.
Items VAS Automates
- Exposed API keys and secrets in JavaScript bundles
- HTTP security header configuration
- Supabase RLS policy testing
- Firebase Security Rules validation
- Cookie security attributes
Manual Review Still Required
- Business logic vulnerabilities
- Custom authentication implementations
- Access control logic in API routes
- Data validation requirements
- Third-party integration security
Permission Management
Review tool permissions carefully
Claude Code can execute shell commands - understand what you're allowing
Use allowlists for commands
Configure allowed commands rather than allowing everything
Limit file system access
Restrict which directories Claude Code can read and write
Review before executing suggested commands
Always read commands before allowing execution
Secret Protection
Don't share terminal with secrets visible
Clear sensitive output before Claude Code sees your terminal
Use environment variables for secrets
AutoDon't let Claude Code see hardcoded credentials
Configure .gitignore properly
AutoEnsure sensitive files are excluded from context
Review generated code for credentials
AI may suggest placeholder secrets - never commit them
Code Review
Review all generated code
Don't blindly accept AI-generated code - review for security
Check authentication implementations
AI-generated auth code often has security flaws
Verify database security in generated code
Ensure RLS, parameterized queries, etc. are correct
Test security-sensitive changes
Manually test auth, access control, and data handling
Workflow Security
Use version control checkpoints
Commit before major Claude Code operations for easy rollback
Don't run in production environments
Use Claude Code in development only, not on production systems
Review git operations before confirming
Check what commits and pushes Claude Code wants to make
Audit the conversation history
Review what information has been shared in the session
Don't Check Manually
VAS automatically checks 2 of these 16 items. Get instant results with detailed remediation guidance.
Run Automated Security ScanFrequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between critical and high priority items?
Critical items represent immediate security risks that could lead to data breach if not addressed - like missing database access controls or exposed secrets. High priority items are important but typically require an additional vulnerability to exploit.
Can I skip low priority items?
Low priority items provide defense-in-depth but aren't immediate risks. Address all critical and high items before launch. Low items can be added post-launch, but shouldn't be ignored entirely - they protect against edge cases and future vulnerabilities.
How often should I re-run this checklist?
Re-run after major feature additions, authentication changes, or new database tables. Set up automated scanning with VAS to catch regressions. Many teams integrate security scans into their CI/CD pipeline for continuous verification.
What does 'Auto-Scanned' mean on checklist items?
Items marked 'Auto-Scanned' can be automatically verified by VAS. Instead of manually checking each item, run a VAS scan to instantly verify these items against your deployed application. Non-automated items require manual verification.