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How we approach security

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Security foundation

Your code’s security is paramount. Claude Code is built with security at its core, developed according to Anthropic’s comprehensive security program. Learn more and access resources (SOC 2 Type 2 report, ISO 27001 certificate, etc.) at Anthropic Trust Center.

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Permission-based architecture

Claude Code uses strict read-only permissions by default. When additional actions are needed (editing files, running tests, executing commands), Claude Code requests explicit permission. Users control whether to approve actions once or allow them automatically. We designed Claude Code to be transparent and secure. For example, we require approval for bash commands before executing them, giving you direct control. This approach enables users and organizations to configure permissions directly. For detailed permission configuration, see Identity and Access Management.

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Built-in protections

To mitigate risks in agentic systems:
  • Write access restriction: Claude Code can only write to the folder where it was started and its subfolders—it cannot modify files in parent directories. While Claude Code can read files outside the working directory (useful for accessing system libraries and dependencies), write operations are strictly confined to the project scope, creating a clear security boundary
  • Prompt fatigue mitigation: Support for allowlisting frequently used safe commands per-user, per-codebase, or per-organization
  • Accept Edits mode: Batch accept multiple edits while maintaining permission prompts for commands with side effects

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User responsibility

Claude Code only has the permissions you grant it. You’re responsible for reviewing proposed code and commands for safety before approval.

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Protect against prompt injection

Prompt injection is a technique where an attacker attempts to override or manipulate an AI assistant’s instructions by inserting malicious text. Claude Code includes several safeguards against these attacks:

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Core protections

  • Permission system: Sensitive operations require explicit approval
  • Context-aware analysis: Detects potentially harmful instructions by analyzing the full request
  • Input sanitization: Prevents command injection by processing user inputs
  • Command blocklist: Blocks risky commands that fetch arbitrary content from the web like curl and wget

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Privacy safeguards

We have implemented several safeguards to protect your data, including:
  • Limited retention periods for sensitive information
  • Restricted access to user session data
  • Clear policies against using feedback for model training
For full details, please review our Commercial Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

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Additional safeguards

  • Network request approval: Tools that make network requests require user approval by default
  • Isolated context windows: Web fetch uses a separate context window to avoid injecting potentially malicious prompts
  • Trust verification: First-time codebase runs and new MCP servers require trust verification
  • Command injection detection: Suspicious bash commands require manual approval even if previously allowlisted
  • Fail-closed matching: Unmatched commands default to requiring manual approval
  • Natural language descriptions: Complex bash commands include explanations for user understanding
  • Secure credential storage: API keys and tokens are encrypted. See Credential Management
Best practices for working with untrusted content:
  1. Review suggested commands before approval
  2. Avoid piping untrusted content directly to Claude
  3. Verify proposed changes to critical files
  4. Use virtual machines (VMs) to run scripts and make tool calls, especially when interacting with external web services
  5. Report suspicious behavior with /bug
While these protections significantly reduce risk, no system is completely immune to all attacks. Always maintain good security practices when working with any AI tool.

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MCP security

Claude Code allows users to configure Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers. The list of allowed MCP servers is configured in your source code, as part of Claude Code settings engineers check into source control. We encourage either writing your own MCP servers or using MCP servers from providers that you trust. You are able to configure Claude Code permissions for MCP servers. Anthropic does not manage or audit any MCP servers.

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Security best practices

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Working with sensitive code

  • Review all suggested changes before approval
  • Use project-specific permission settings for sensitive repositories
  • Consider using devcontainers for additional isolation
  • Regularly audit your permission settings with /permissions

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Team security

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Reporting security issues

If you discover a security vulnerability in Claude Code:
  1. Do not disclose it publicly
  2. Report it through our HackerOne program
  3. Include detailed reproduction steps
  4. Allow time for us to address the issue before public disclosure