PaperClipAI/docs/deploy/local-development.md at 233c12f029de950f7f1999047395e352bcf4f9d4

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Nicky LeachandPaperclip fdb9a4880d fix(security): route paperclipai CLI guidance through safe npx form (CWE-78) (#11400 )

## Thinking Path

> - Paperclip is the open source app people use to manage AI agents for
work
> - Paperclip provides CLI commands and guidance for operators and
agents
> - The `pnpm paperclipai` script can pass argument values through a
shell
> - Shell re-parsing can execute command substitutions inside quoted
values
> - This pull request routes guidance through inert-argv `npx
paperclipai` commands and adds regression coverage
> - The benefit is safer operator guidance across documentation and
runtime hints

## Linked Issues or Issue Description

This pull request fixes a command-injection-class defect in Paperclip
CLI guidance.

**What happened?**

The `pnpm paperclipai <sub> --flag "$VALUE"` form can re-parse argument
values through a shell. A command substitution inside a quoted value can
execute on the host.

**Expected behavior**

Paperclip guidance must pass CLI values as inert argument values.
Host-derived values must not appear in copyable commands.

**Steps to reproduce**

1. Run a Paperclip guidance command that uses the `pnpm paperclipai`
script.
2. Provide a quoted value that contains a command substitution.
3. Observe that the shell can evaluate the substitution before the CLI
starts.
4. Compare the result with the `npx paperclipai` form.

**Paperclip version or commit**

`5670984b75d109950c968542a0111ebb6967f4da`

**Deployment mode**

All deployment modes that show or use the affected CLI guidance.

**Installation method**

Built from source and installed CLI guidance.

**Agent adapter(s) involved**

Not adapter-specific (core bug).

**Database mode**

Not database-related.

**Access context**

Both.

**Additional context**

The earlier merged PR
[#11343](https://github.com/paperclipai/paperclip/pull/11343) used the
unsafe `pnpm exec paperclipai` form. This fresh PR replaces that
guidance with the safe `npx paperclipai` form.

## What Changed

- Standardize documentation and runtime hints on `npx paperclipai`.
- Remove the broken `pnpm exec paperclipai` guidance.
- Use a static `<host>` placeholder in private-hostname guidance.
- Add regression tests for unsafe forms, continued lines, static hosts,
and offline guidance.

## Verification

- `git diff --check
origin/master...origin/fix/paperclipai-cli-npx-safe-invocation` passes.
- The branch adds `server/src/__tests__/cli-invocation-safety.test.ts`
and updates private-hostname tests.
- CI must run the new tests, typecheck, lint, and build checks.
- Local Vitest execution was not available because this worktree has no
installed Vitest binary.

## Risks

- The change affects operator and agent documentation text.
- The runtime hints now show `<host>` instead of a request-derived host
value.
- No database schema or migration changes exist.
- CI will detect any missed unsafe invocation or type error.

## Model Used

OpenAI GPT-5, exact model ID `gpt-5`, with tool use and code-review
assistance. The model used repository inspection, Git operations, and PR
preparation.

## Checklist

- [x] I have included a thinking path that traces from project context
to this change
- [x] I have specified the model used (with version and capability
details)
- [x] I have checked ROADMAP.md and confirmed this PR does not duplicate
planned core work
- [x] I have searched GitHub for duplicate or related PRs and linked
them above
- [x] I have either (a) linked existing issues with `Fixes: #` / `Closes
#` / `Refs #` OR (b) described the issue in-PR following the relevant
issue template
- [x] I have not referenced internal/instance-local Paperclip issues or
links (only public GitHub `#NNN` / `github.com/paperclipai/paperclip`
URLs)
- [x] My branch name describes the change (e.g. `docs/...`, `fix/...`)
and contains no internal Paperclip ticket id or instance-derived details
- [x] CI ran the test suites and they pass; local test execution was
unavailable in this worktree
- [x] I have added or updated tests where applicable
- [x] I have updated relevant documentation to reflect my changes
- [x] I have considered and documented any risks above
- [x] All Paperclip CI gates are green
- [x] Greptile is 5/5 with no open P2s, recommendations, or follow-ups
- [x] I addressed all Greptile and reviewer comments before requesting
merge

---------

Co-authored-by: Paperclip <noreply@paperclip.ing>

2026-08-14 22:11:16 -07:00

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title, summary

title	summary
Local Development	Set up Paperclip for local development

Run Paperclip locally with zero external dependencies.

Prerequisites

Node.js 20+
pnpm 9+

Start Dev Server

pnpm install
pnpm dev

This starts:

API server at http://localhost:3100
UI served by the API server in dev middleware mode (same origin)

No Docker or external database required. Paperclip uses embedded PostgreSQL automatically.

One-Command Bootstrap

For a first-time install:

pnpm paperclipai run

This does:

Auto-onboards if config is missing
Runs paperclipai doctor with repair enabled
Starts the server when checks pass

Bind Presets In Dev

Default pnpm dev stays in local_trusted with loopback-only binding.

To open Paperclip to a private network with login enabled:

pnpm dev --bind lan

For Tailscale-only binding on a detected tailnet address:

pnpm dev --bind tailnet

Legacy aliases still work and map to the older broad private-network behavior:

pnpm dev --tailscale-auth
pnpm dev --authenticated-private

Allow additional private hostnames:

npx paperclipai allowed-hostname dotta-macbook-pro

For full setup and troubleshooting, see Tailscale Private Access.

Health Checks

curl http://localhost:3100/api/health
# -> {"status":"ok"}

curl http://localhost:3100/api/companies
# -> []

Safe Worktree Bootstrap for Local Agent Runs

For safer parallel local experiments, initialize a dedicated worktree instance instead of reusing your main checkout:

npx paperclipai worktree:make local-lab --seed-mode minimal
cd ~/paperclip-local-lab
pnpm paperclipai worktree env                       # inspect generated env exports
eval "$(npx paperclipai worktree env)"             # bash/zsh
pnpm paperclipai run
pnpm paperclipai doctor

If the experiment gets noisy, repair or reseed the worktree without touching the main branch:

# worktree repair rebuilds the local checkout metadata, so run the checked-out CLI through the direct-exec form.
node cli/node_modules/tsx/dist/cli.mjs cli/src/index.ts worktree repair --branch paperclip-local-lab
npx paperclipai worktree reseed --from . --to paperclip-local-lab

When done, shut it down and remove the isolated state explicitly:

npx paperclipai worktree:cleanup local-lab --force

Reset Dev Data

To wipe local data and start fresh:

rm -rf ~/.paperclip/instances/default/db
pnpm dev

Data Locations

Data	Path
Config	`~/.paperclip/instances/default/config.json`
Database	`~/.paperclip/instances/default/db`
Storage	`~/.paperclip/instances/default/data/storage`
Secrets key	`~/.paperclip/instances/default/secrets/master.key`
Logs	`~/.paperclip/instances/default/logs`

Override with environment variables:

PAPERCLIP_HOME=/custom/path PAPERCLIP_INSTANCE_ID=dev pnpm paperclipai run

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