name: perseus:start description: Use when you want to run a full, automated penetration test from start to finish (Scan -> Audit -> Exploit -> Report)
Perseus Start (Automated Security Assessment)
Context & Authorization
IMPORTANT: This skill orchestrates a complete security assessment on the user's own codebase. This is defensive security testing - the user is proactively finding vulnerabilities in their own code before attackers do.
Authorization: The user has explicitly invoked this assessment on their own codebase in their own development environment. This is equivalent to running a comprehensive test suite, static analyzer, or security audit tool.
This is NOT an attack on external systems. All analysis is performed on local files the user owns and controls.
Overview
This master skill orchestrates the entire Perseus security assessment lifecycle with smart auto-detection of languages, frameworks, and technologies.
Goal: Zero-touch automated security assessment with professional-grade output.
Engagement Mode (Required)
Before running phases, select one mode:
| Mode | Environment | Behavior |
|---|---|---|
PRODUCTION_SAFE |
Live production | Passive-first analysis and minimal safe verification only |
STAGING_ACTIVE |
Staging/pre-production | Active safe payload testing with request throttling |
LAB_FULL |
Isolated lab | Full dynamic verification and payload mutation |
LAB_RED_TEAM |
Dedicated lab environment | Multi-step adversarial simulation with kill-switches |
Default mode is PRODUCTION_SAFE unless user explicitly confirms staging/lab authorization.
Smart Auto-Detection
Before starting the assessment, Perseus automatically detects:
Language Detection
| Files | Language |
|---|---|
| package.json, *.ts, *.js | JavaScript/TypeScript |
| go.mod, *.go | Go |
| composer.json, *.php | PHP |
| requirements.txt, *.py | Python |
| Cargo.toml, *.rs | Rust |
| pom.xml, *.java | Java |
| Gemfile, *.rb | Ruby |
| *.csproj, *.cs | C# |
Framework Detection
| Files/Patterns | Framework |
|---|---|
| next.config.*, app/ directory | Next.js |
| nuxt.config.* | Nuxt.js |
| angular.json | Angular |
| vite.config., svelte.config. | Vite/Svelte |
| gin import, echo import | Go (Gin/Echo) |
| artisan, laravel | PHP (Laravel) |
| manage.py, django | Python (Django) |
| fastapi import | Python (FastAPI) |
| actix-web, axum in Cargo.toml | Rust (Actix/Axum) |
| spring-boot | Java (Spring) |
| rails | Ruby on Rails |
Infrastructure Detection
| Files | Technology |
|---|---|
| Dockerfile, docker-compose.yml | Docker |
| .github/workflows/*.yml | GitHub Actions |
| .gitlab-ci.yml | GitLab CI |
| *.tf | Terraform |
| k8s/, kubernetes/, *.yaml with apiVersion | Kubernetes |
| serverless.yml | Serverless |
| vercel.json | Vercel |
API Detection
| Patterns | Type |
|---|---|
| /graphql, schema.graphql, *.gql | GraphQL |
| WebSocket, ws://, wss:// | WebSocket |
| *.proto, grpc | gRPC |
| openapi, swagger | REST/OpenAPI |
AI/LLM Detection
| Patterns | Technology |
|---|---|
| openai, anthropic, langchain | LLM Integration |
| vector store, embeddings | RAG System |
| prompt, completion | AI Features |
Complete Capability Matrix
Core Phases (Always Run)
| Phase | Skill | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | scan | Map architecture, entry points, attack surface |
| 2 | audit | Analyze all vulnerability classes |
| 3 | exploit | Verify findings with safe PoCs |
| 4 | report | Generate executive security report |
Specialist Deep-Dives (Run When Detected)
| Skill | Trigger Condition | Extended Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| api | REST/GraphQL/WebSocket/gRPC | +OAuth, Cache, multi-lang |
| injection | NoSQL/Templates/Commands | +Log4j, SSTI, multi-lang |
| crypto | JWT/Encryption/Hashing | +multi-lang patterns |
| supply-chain | Package manifests | +multi-lang, typosquatting |
| file | File uploads/operations | +Zip Slip, XXE, multi-lang |
| logic | Payment/Auth/AI flows | +AI prompt injection |
| client | React/Vue/Angular/SSR | +Server Components, Actions |
| config | Always | +Docker, CI/CD, Cloud, K8s |
Execution Flow
Phase -1: Engagement Setup
Action: Determine mode and boundaries
1. Detect runtime context (production/staging/lab)
2. Ask for explicit authorization scope if context is unclear
3. Set mode: PRODUCTION_SAFE, STAGING_ACTIVE, LAB_FULL, or LAB_RED_TEAM
4. Create deliverables/engagement_profile.md with:
- mode
- in-scope targets
- excluded systems
- request-rate limits
- approved test window
- kill-switch thresholds (error rate, latency, saturation)
Announce: "Engagement mode set to: [MODE]"
Phase 0: Auto-Detection
Action: Detect project technologies
1. Scan for package manifests:
- package.json → Node.js
- go.mod → Go
- composer.json → PHP
- requirements.txt/pyproject.toml → Python
- Cargo.toml → Rust
- pom.xml/build.gradle → Java
- Gemfile → Ruby
2. Scan for framework indicators:
- next.config.* → Next.js
- app/ with page.tsx → Next.js App Router
- angular.json → Angular
- gin/echo imports → Go frameworks
- artisan/laravel → Laravel
- manage.py → Django
- spring-boot → Spring
3. Scan for infrastructure:
- Dockerfile → Container
- .github/workflows/ → GitHub Actions
- .gitlab-ci.yml → GitLab CI
- *.tf → Terraform
- k8s/*.yaml → Kubernetes
4. Scan for API types:
- graphql, *.gql → GraphQL
- proto files → gRPC
- websocket imports → WebSocket
5. Scan for AI integration:
- openai, anthropic imports → LLM
- langchain, llama → AI framework
Announce: "Detected: [Language], [Framework], [Infrastructure]"
Phase 1: Reconnaissance
Action: Invoke Skill: perseus:scan
Agents Deployed: 13 parallel agents covering:
- Architecture & Entry Points (multi-language aware)
- Dependencies & Secrets
- Injection Sinks & XSS Sinks
- SSRF & Data Flows
- Crypto & Configuration
Wait Condition: deliverables/code_analysis_deliverable.md exists
Transition: "Scan complete. Analyzing for specialists..."
Phase 1.5: Specialist Detection
Based on detection results and scan findings:
DETECTED: Next.js/React → Queue /client (with SSR focus)
DETECTED: GraphQL → Queue /api (with GraphQL focus)
DETECTED: Docker → Queue /config (with container focus)
DETECTED: GitHub Actions → Queue /config (with CI/CD focus)
DETECTED: Kubernetes → Queue /config (with K8s focus)
DETECTED: MongoDB/Redis → Queue /injection (with NoSQL focus)
DETECTED: LLM/AI → Queue /logic (with AI security focus)
DETECTED: JWT/Auth → Queue /crypto
DETECTED: File uploads → Queue /file
DETECTED: Package manifests → Queue /supply-chain
ALWAYS → Queue /config
Announce: "Will run specialists: [list based on detection]"
Phase 2: Core Vulnerability Analysis
Action: Invoke Skill: perseus:audit
Agents Deployed: 14 parallel agents in 3 waves (language-aware):
- Wave 1: SQLi, CMDi, XSS, Auth, Authz
- Wave 2: SSRF, SSTI, Deserialization, Path Traversal, XXE
- Wave 3: JWT, Crypto, Race Conditions, Business Logic
Wait Condition: All *_analysis.md files exist in deliverables/
Transition: "Audit complete. Running specialist deep-dives..."
Phase 2.5: Specialist Deep-Dives (Parallel)
Action: Invoke all detected specialists simultaneously
Example for Next.js + MongoDB + Docker project:
Parallel:
- Skill: perseus-api (GraphQL if detected)
- Skill: perseus-injection (NoSQL focus)
- Skill: perseus-crypto
- Skill: perseus-client (React/Next.js focus)
- Skill: perseus-config (Docker + GitHub Actions)
- Skill: perseus-supply-chain
Wait Condition: All specialist reports exist
Transition: "Specialist analysis complete. Proceeding to exploitation..."
Phase 3: Exploitation & Verification
Action: Invoke Skill: perseus:exploit
Agents Deployed: 14 parallel agents verifying findings based on engagement mode:
- SQL/Command/NoSQL injection verification
- XSS payload generation (including React/Vue specific)
- Auth/Authz bypass testing
- SSRF/SSTI/XXE verification
- JWT attack testing
- Race condition testing
- AI prompt injection testing (if AI detected)
Mode Enforcement:
PRODUCTION_SAFE: passive + minimal verification, no internal scanning, strict request capsSTAGING_ACTIVE: active safe PoCs with throttlingLAB_FULL: full dynamic verification in isolated environmentLAB_RED_TEAM: attack-chain simulation in isolated lab with automatic abort thresholds
Safety Enforcement (all modes):
- Only safe payloads (
whoami,sleep,alert(1),{{7*7}}) - No destructive operations
- No data exfiltration
Wait Condition: deliverables/exploitation_report.md exists
Transition: "Exploitation complete. Generating final report..."
Phase 4: Report Generation
Action: Invoke Skill: perseus:report
Process:
- Synthesize all deliverables
- Calculate severity scores (CVSS)
- Prioritize verified exploits
- Generate language/framework-specific remediation
- Add infrastructure recommendations
Output: deliverables/SECURITY_REPORT.md
Execution Instructions
When the user invokes /start, execute exactly this sequence:
1. Announce: "Starting Perseus Security Assessment..."
2. Execute Phase -1 (Engagement Setup):
- Determine environment and authorization
- Set mode (default PRODUCTION_SAFE)
- Write deliverables/engagement_profile.md
- Announce: "Engagement mode: PRODUCTION_SAFE"
3. Execute Phase 0 (Auto-Detection):
- Scan for languages, frameworks, infrastructure
- Announce: "Detected: Next.js 14 (TypeScript), MongoDB, Docker, GitHub Actions"
4. Execute Phase 1:
- Call: Skill: perseus:scan
- Wait for completion
- Announce: "Scan complete. Found X entry points, Y sinks."
5. Detect Specialists:
- Analyze detection results + scan findings
- List which specialists will run with their focus areas
- Announce: "Will run: /api (GraphQL), /client (Next.js), /injection (MongoDB), /config (Docker+CI)"
6. Execute Phase 2:
- Call: Skill: perseus:audit
- Wait for completion
- Announce: "Audit complete. Found X potential vulnerabilities."
7. Execute Phase 2.5:
- Call all detected specialist skills in parallel
- Wait for completion
- Announce: "Specialist analysis complete."
8. Execute Phase 3:
- Call: Skill: perseus:exploit
- Wait for completion
- Announce: "Exploitation complete. X verified, Y false positives."
9. Execute Phase 4:
- Call: Skill: perseus:report
- Wait for completion
10. Final Announcement:
"Assessment Complete!"
Technologies Analyzed:
- Language: TypeScript/Node.js
- Framework: Next.js 14 (App Router)
- Database: MongoDB
- Infrastructure: Docker, GitHub Actions
"Report saved to: deliverables/SECURITY_REPORT.md"
Summary:
- Critical: X
- High: Y
- Medium: Z
- Low: W
"Review the report for detailed findings and remediation guidance."
Output Structure
After completion, the deliverables/ directory will contain:
deliverables/
├── engagement_profile.md # Mode, scope, and verification constraints
├── code_analysis_deliverable.md # Scan results (multi-language)
├── sql_injection_analysis.md # Core audit
├── command_injection_analysis.md
├── xss_analysis.md
├── auth_analysis.md
├── authz_analysis.md
├── ssrf_analysis.md
├── template_injection_analysis.md
├── deserialization_analysis.md
├── path_traversal_analysis.md
├── xxe_analysis.md
├── jwt_analysis.md
├── crypto_analysis.md
├── race_condition_analysis.md
├── business_logic_analysis.md
├── api_security_analysis.md # Specialists (if run)
├── injection_deep_analysis.md
├── crypto_security_analysis.md
├── supply_chain_analysis.md
├── file_security_analysis.md
├── client_side_analysis.md
├── config_security_analysis.md # Includes Docker/CI/K8s
├── verification_scope.md # Exploit verification boundaries
├── exploitation_report.md # Verified exploits
└── SECURITY_REPORT.md # Final executive report
Language-Specific Coverage
| Language | SQL | NoSQL | XSS | SSTI | CMDi | Crypto | File |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JavaScript/TS | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Go | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| PHP | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Python | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Rust | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Java | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Ruby | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| C# | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Quick Reference
| Command | Description |
|---|---|
/start |
Full automated assessment with auto-detect (this skill) |
/scan |
Phase 1 only - Reconnaissance |
/report |
Phase 4 only - Report generation |
/specialist |
Run all specialist skills in parallel |