PaperClipAI/docs/deploy/deployment-modes.md at a53cc8819bc7731b17033cf0b7231a27c7eecb5e

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Nicky LeachandPaperclip 5ca7b4c1fe fix(security): standardize paperclipai CLI guidance on safe npx path (#11343 )

## Thinking Path

> - Paperclip is the open source app people use to manage AI agents for
work.
> - Paperclip provides CLI guidance to agents and operators through
documentation and runtime messages.
> - Content-bearing `pnpm paperclipai` examples send arguments through a
shell.
> - Shell evaluation can execute command substitutions in untrusted
argument content.
> - Runtime hostname guidance can also place request-derived content
inside a shell command.
> - This pull request uses `npx paperclipai` for content-bearing
guidance and uses a static hostname placeholder.
> - The benefit is safer copy-paste guidance for agents and operators.

## Linked Issues or Issue Description

**Issue type**
Incorrect information

**Where is the issue?**
CLI guidance in `doc/CLI.md`, `skills/paperclip/SKILL.md`,
documentation, and runtime-generated hints.

**What's wrong?**
Content-bearing `pnpm paperclipai` commands can pass argument text
through `/bin/sh`. Shell command substitution in an argument can execute
before the CLI receives the value.

**Suggested fix**
Use `npx paperclipai` for content-bearing commands. Use a static
`<host>` placeholder when runtime guidance displays the allowed-hostname
command.

## What Changed

- Replace content-bearing `pnpm paperclipai` examples with `npx
paperclipai` across the documentation and agent-facing guidance.
- Update runtime-generated CLI hints to use a static `<host>`
placeholder.
- Add safety notes to `doc/CLI.md` and `skills/paperclip/SKILL.md`.
- Add scans and regression tests for unsafe invocation and hostile
hostname headers.
- Keep fixed lifecycle commands and `pnpm --filter @paperclipai/*` build
commands unchanged.

## Verification

- Run `tsc --noEmit` for the changed server files.
- Run `cli-invocation-safety.test.ts`.
- Run `private-hostname-guard.test.ts`.
- Confirm that hostile hostname headers do not enter shown shell
commands.
- Confirm that the three commits contain the required Paperclip
co-author trailer.

## Risks

- This change updates documentation and diagnostic text across many
surfaces.
- Fixed lifecycle and setup commands remain unchanged.
- The tests fail if content-bearing `pnpm paperclipai` guidance returns.
- The change does not alter the CLI argument parser.

## Model Used

OpenAI Codex, GPT-5, tool use, code execution, and repository review
assistance.

## 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] I have run tests locally and they pass
- [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 will address all Greptile and reviewer comments before
requesting merge

---------

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

2026-08-13 16:43:21 -07:00

2.1 KiB

Raw Blame History

title, summary

title	summary
Deployment Modes	local_trusted vs authenticated (private/public)

Paperclip supports two runtime modes with different security profiles. Reachability is configured separately with bind.

`local_trusted`

The default mode. Optimized for single-operator local use.

Host binding: loopback only (localhost)
Bind: loopback
Authentication: no login required
Use case: local development, solo experimentation
Board identity: auto-created local board user

# Set during onboard
pnpm paperclipai onboard
# Choose "local_trusted"

`authenticated`

`authenticated` + `private`

For private network access (Tailscale, VPN, LAN).

Authentication: login required via Better Auth
URL handling: auto base URL mode (lower friction)
Host trust: private-host trust policy required
Bind: choose loopback, lan, tailnet, or custom

pnpm paperclipai onboard
# Choose "authenticated" -> "private"

Allow custom Tailscale hostnames:

pnpm exec paperclipai allowed-hostname my-machine

`authenticated` + `public`

For internet-facing deployment.

Authentication: login required
URL: explicit public URL required
Security: stricter deployment checks in doctor
Bind: usually loopback behind a reverse proxy; lan/custom is advanced

pnpm paperclipai onboard
# Choose "authenticated" -> "public"

Board Claim Flow

When migrating from local_trusted to authenticated, Paperclip emits a one-time claim URL at startup:

/board-claim/<token>?code=<code>

A signed-in user visits this URL to claim board ownership. This:

Promotes the current user to instance admin
Demotes the auto-created local board admin
Ensures active company membership for the claiming user

Changing Modes

Update the deployment mode:

pnpm paperclipai configure --section server

Runtime override via environment variable:

PAPERCLIP_DEPLOYMENT_MODE=authenticated PAPERCLIP_BIND=lan pnpm paperclipai run

2.1 KiB Raw Blame History

local_trusted

authenticated

authenticated + private

authenticated + public