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Why a security-focused pipeline

Generic code review catches style and bugs. But security vulnerabilities — SQL injection, hardcoded secrets, insecure auth patterns — need dedicated rules that treat findings as critical blockers. This cookbook sets up a security-first layer on top of your existing review.

Step 1 — Enable security analysis

Make sure security analysis is enabled:
This gives you Kodus’ built-in security checks. The rules below add your team’s specific security policies on top.

Step 2 — Create OWASP-focused rules

SQL injection prevention

Hardcoded secrets detection

Authentication bypass

XSS prevention

Step 3 — Teach security Memories

Create persistent conventions that apply everywhere:

Step 4 — Configure for zero tolerance

For security rules, you want critical findings to block:
  1. Enable Request Changes in PR Workflow settings so Kody requests changes when critical issues are found
  2. Set security rules to Critical severity so they always surface above any severity filter
  3. Do NOT set a low maxSuggestions limit — security findings should never be suppressed

Step 5 — Add a dependency audit rule (optional)

If you use MCP plugins, you can check dependencies:

Checklist

  • Security analysis enabled in reviewOptions
  • SQL injection rule covers all DB-interacting code
  • Secrets detection rule covers all file types
  • Auth bypass rule references your actual auth patterns
  • XSS rule covers all frontend component files
  • Security Memories teach general secure coding principles
  • Request Changes enabled for critical findings
  • A test PR confirmed rules fire correctly
For more on configuring rules, see Kody Rules.