Wip File Guard

Hook that blocks destructive edits to protected identity files. For Claude Code CLI and OpenClaw.

Hook that blocks destructive edits to protected identity files. For Claude Code CLI and OpenClaw.

When to Use This Skill

Use wip-file-guard for:

• Protecting CLAUDE.md, SOUL.md, IDENTITY.md, MEMORY.md, and other identity files from being overwritten
• Blocking AI agents from replacing file content instead of extending it
• Surviving context compaction (behavioral rules get erased, but hooks don't)

This is a technical guardrail, not a prompt. It blocks the operation before it happens.

Do NOT Use For

• Protecting binary files or images
• Blocking all edits (it allows small edits, only blocks destructive ones)
• Repos without identity files

How It Works

Two rules:

1. Write is blocked on protected files. Always. Use Edit instead.
2. Edit is blocked when it removes more than 2 net lines from a protected file.

Protected Files

CLAUDE.md, SHARED-CONTEXT.md, SOUL.md, IDENTITY.md, CONTEXT.md, TOOLS.md, MEMORY.md

Protected Patterns

Any file matching: memory, memories, journal, diary, daily log

API Reference

CLI

bash

node guard.mjs --list          # list protected files
bash test.sh                   # run test suite

Claude Code Hook

Add to ~/.claude/settings.json:

json

{
  "hooks": {
    "PreToolUse": [
      {
        "matcher": "Edit|Write",
        "hooks": [
          {
            "type": "command",
            "command": "node \"/path/to/wip-file-guard/guard.mjs\"",
            "timeout": 5
          }
        ]
      }
    ]
  }
}

Troubleshooting

Agent keeps trying to Write

The deny message tells the agent to re-read the file and use Edit instead. If the agent ignores it, it's likely post-compaction and has lost context. The hook will keep blocking.

Edit blocked unexpectedly

Check the net line removal. Edits that remove more than 2 lines from a protected file are blocked. Small edits (adding or replacing 1-2 lines) are allowed.