github / github/copilot-cli

Add an option to disable repository hooks to reduce config-injection risk

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area:permissions area:plugins
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Shell
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Description

### Problem

Repository-provided hook configuration can become a supply-chain execution surface when a repository is compromised.

SafeDep recently documented the Miasma worm campaign, where malicious commits added project configuration for multiple developer tools and used auto-run hook/task mechanisms to execute a payload when a developer opened or started an AI coding agent in the repository:

https://safedep.io/miasma-worm-ai-coding-agent-config-injection/

The relevant pattern is that the attacker did not need to compromise the agent binary. They only needed to land repository configuration such as `.claude/settings.json` / `.gemini/settings.json` hooks, editor tasks, or agent instructions that cause local code execution. A similar class of risk exists for any agent that automatically trusts repository-provided hook configuration.

### Request

Please add a first-class way for users and automation to disable repository/workspace hooks in Copilot CLI.

Examples of possible UX:

```bash
copilot --disable-hooks
copilot --disable-repository-hooks
copilot --no-hooks
```

or an environment/configuration option such as:

```bash
COPILOT_DISABLE_HOOKS=1
COPILOT_DISABLE_REPOSITORY_HOOKS=1
```

The important property is that users and CI systems should be able to start Copilot CLI in a mode where hooks from the checked-out repository are not loaded or executed.

### Why this matters

Hooks are useful for policy enforcement and local automation, but repository-controlled hooks can also be abused as a persistence/execution mechanism after a source repository compromise. In the Miasma case, the attacker used developer-tool configuration injection to run a payload on clone/open/session start.

A user may want to inspect or remediate an untrusted repository with Copilot CLI without allowing that repository to execute hook code first.

This is especially important for:

- Incident response on potentially compromised repositories
- Reviewing third-party or newly cloned repositories
- CI or automation that runs Copilot CLI on untrusted branches/forks
- Enterprise environments that want hooks only from trusted user/org policy, not from arbitrary repo contents

### Prior art

Other AI coding tools have options to suppress or disable hooks / project-provided automation. Copilot CLI should provide an equivalent safety switch so users can opt out of repository hooks when the repository is not yet trusted.

### Desired behavior

When the option is set:

- Repository/workspace hooks should not be loaded or executed.
- The CLI should clearly log or display that repository hooks were disabled by user choice.
- Ideally, trusted user-level or enterprise-managed hooks could still be allowed separately, if that distinction exists in the hook loader.

### Related context

There are existing hook-related issues where missing hook enforcement is treated as a security problem, for example hooks not loading in some modes or subagents bypassing hooks. This request is the complementary control: users also need a deliberate, explicit way to *not trust repository-provided hooks* when working with untrusted code.

Contributor guide

Open the contributing guide

Research direction

Begin by locating Copilot CLI's hook-loading entry point and any existing hook tests; the issue names no files or tests. Completion should provide a user- or automation-controlled opt-out for repository/workspace hooks, clearly report that they were disabled, and preserve any intended distinction for trusted hooks.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.

Assessment

Tech stack
shell
Domain
cli, security
Issue type
Feature
Difficulty
4/5
Estimated time
3-5 days
Activity status
Quiet
Clarity
Mostly clear
Newbie friendliness
45/100

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