Shell Script Review

Audit shell scripts for correctness, safety, and portability.

Verification

After review, run shellcheck <script> to verify fixes address identified issues.

Testing

Run pytest plugins/pensive/tests/skills/test_shell_review.py -v to validate review patterns.

Quick Start

/shell-review path/to/script.sh

When To Use

• CI/CD pipeline scripts
• Git hook scripts
• Wrapper scripts (run-*.sh)
• Build automation scripts
• Pre-commit hook implementations

When NOT To Use

• Non-shell scripts (Python, JS, etc.)
• One-liner commands that don't need review

Required TodoWrite Items

1. shell-review:context-mapped
2. shell-review:exit-codes-checked
3. shell-review:portability-checked
4. shell-review:safety-patterns-verified
5. shell-review:structure-checked
6. shell-review:evidence-logged
7. shell-review:findings-verified

Workflow

Step 1: Map Context (shell-review:context-mapped)

Identify shell scripts:

# Find shell scripts
find . -not -path "*/.venv/*" -not -path "*/__pycache__/*" \
  -not -path "*/node_modules/*" -not -path "*/.git/*" \
  -name "*.sh" -type f | head -20
# Check shebangs
rg -l "^#!/" scripts/ hooks/ 2>/dev/null | head -10
# fallback: grep -l "^#!/" scripts/ hooks/ 2>/dev/null | head -10

Document:

• Script purpose and trigger context
• Integration points (make, pre-commit, CI)
• Expected inputs and outputs

Step 2: Exit Code Audit (shell-review:exit-codes-checked)

@include modules/exit-codes.md

Step 3: Portability Check (shell-review:portability-checked)

@include modules/portability.md

Step 4: Safety Patterns (shell-review:safety-patterns-verified)

@include modules/safety-patterns.md

Step 5: Structure Patterns (shell-review:structure-checked)

@include modules/structure-patterns.md

Step 6: Evidence Log (shell-review:evidence-logged)

Use imbue:proof-of-work to record findings with file:line references.

Summarize:

• Critical issues (failures masked, security risks)
• Major issues (portability, maintainability)
• Minor issues (style, documentation)

Output Format

## Summary
Shell script review findings

## Scripts Reviewed
- [list with line counts]

## Exit Code Issues
### [E1] Pipeline masks failure
- Location: script.sh:42
- Anchor: `verbatim source text at file:line`
- Pattern: `cmd | grep` loses exit code
- Fix: Use pipefail or capture separately

## Portability Issues
[cross-platform concerns]

## Safety Issues
[unquoted variables, missing set flags]

## Recommendation
Approve / Approve with actions / Block

Verify Findings Are Grounded (shell-review:findings-verified)

Write findings to .review/findings.json, run the citation verifier (Skill(imbue:review-core) Step 5), and drop or label UNVERIFIED any the verifier rejects.

Exit Criteria

• Exit code propagation verified (pipelines checked for pipefail or capture-and-check)
• Portability issues documented (Bash-isms in #!/bin/sh scripts flagged)
• Safety patterns verified (no echo, braced vars, :? expansion, cd in subshells, no basename/dirname)
• Structure patterns verified (library/executable distinction, main call, preamble, depcheck, shfmt formatting)
• Evidence logged with file:line references via imbue:proof-of-work
• Every reported finding carries a Location + verbatim Anchor confirmed by citation_verifier.py (exit 0), or unverified findings were dropped or labeled UNVERIFIED