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Testing48k · #3806

penetration-testing

Teaches your AI agent to test code and catch bugs before users do and protect apps against attacks.

What it does

This tool helps check the security of computer systems or networks. It simulates attacks to find weaknesses, but can only be used with explicit permission.

When to use it

  • ✓To test a website's security with authorization.
  • ✓To find flaws in an allowed internal network.
  • ✓To learn about system security in a controlled way.

Example of what to ask your AI

“I want to test the security of the website 'example.com'. I have written authorization and the permitted scope is only this website.”

Want more? Open the sections below.

How to use

The easiest way: copy the message below and paste it into Claude, ChatGPT, Cursor or any AI. It reads the skill and follows the instructions.

Skill link

https://github.com/sickn33/agentic-awesome-skills/blob/main/plugins/agentic-awesome-skills-claude/skills/penetration-testing/SKILL.md

Ready-to-paste message

Use this skill to help me: https://github.com/sickn33/agentic-awesome-skills/blob/main/plugins/agentic-awesome-skills-claude/skills/penetration-testing/SKILL.md Read the SKILL.md file at that link and follow its instructions for my task.
How it works

The tool uses commands to gather information about the target, check open ports, and look for known vulnerabilities. It simulates attacker actions to identify weaknesses.

Installation

Easiest way: copy the skill link and paste it into Claude, ChatGPT or Cursor asking it to follow the instructions.

In the terminal (Claude Code, Codex, Cursor), in your project folder:

npx skills add sickn33/agentic-awesome-skills --skill penetration-testing

Or download just the file:

curl -L https://raw.githubusercontent.com/sickn33/agentic-awesome-skills/main/plugins/agentic-awesome-skills-claude/skills/penetration-testing/SKILL.md -o SKILL.md
Technical content (original SKILL.md)

Original text by the author, straight from GitHub.

⚠️ AUTHORIZED USE ONLY This skill is for educational purposes or authorized security assessments only. You must have explicit, written permission from the system owner before using this tool. Misuse of this tool is illegal and strictly prohibited.

Mandatory confirmation gate Before running any command that probes, exploits, changes, persists on, extracts data from, or attempts credential access against a target:

  1. Ask the user to state the exact target URL, IP, account, or resource.
  2. Ask the user to confirm written authorization and the permitted scope.
  3. Show the exact command(s) and explain their expected effect.
  4. Wait for explicit confirmation in the current conversation.

Without that confirmation, remain read-only and provide defensive guidance only. Prefer a sandbox, disposable VM, or controlled lab.

Penetration Testing

Validate security controls through authorized testing.

Phases

pentest_phases:
  1_reconnaissance:
    - Passive information gathering
    - DNS enumeration
    - Network mapping
    
  2_scanning:
    - Port scanning
    - Service identification
    - Vulnerability scanning
    
  3_exploitation:
    - Attempt exploitation
    - Verify vulnerabilities
    - Document findings
    
  4_post_exploitation:
    - Privilege escalation
    - Lateral movement
    - Data access
    
  5_reporting:
    - Document findings
    - Risk assessment
    - Remediation recommendations

Reconnaissance

# DNS enumeration
dig example.com ANY
host -l example.com

# Subdomain discovery
subfinder -d example.com

# WHOIS
whois example.com

Scanning

# Port scan
nmap -sV -sC -p- target.com

# Web scanning
nikto -h https://target.com
dirb https://target.com

# Vulnerability scan
nmap --script vuln target.com

Web Testing

# SQL injection test
sqlmap -u "http://target.com/page?id=1"

# XSS testing
# Use Burp Suite or manual testing

# Directory traversal
curl "http://target.com/file?path=../../../etc/passwd"

Rules of Engagement

scope:
  in_scope:
    - target.com
    - api.target.com
  out_of_scope:
    - production-db.target.com
    - third-party services
  
  testing_window: "Weekdays 2-6 AM UTC"
  emergency_contact: "security@target.com"

Best Practices

  • Always get written authorization
  • Define clear scope
  • Document everything
  • Report critical findings immediately
  • Safe exploitation techniques only

Related Skills

  • dast-scanning (dast-scanning) - Automated testing
  • vulnerability-scanning (vulnerability-scanning) - Vulnerability discovery

When to Use

  • You have explicit, written authorization to assess the target in scope, and the task matches this skill's active assessment workflow.

Limitations

  • Apply guidance only within authorized scope; test destructive steps in non-production first.
  • Docs-only import: upstream scripts and templates not bundled.

Example

# Read-only first: inventory before any active step.
which <tool> && <tool> --help | head -n 20

Adapted from BagelHole/DevOps-Security-Agent-Skills (MIT); frontmatter, When to Use/Limitations, and safety boundaries added for upstream compliance. Docs-only import: helper scripts and templates not bundled.

FAQ

Do I need permission to use this tool?

Yes, you must have written permission from the system owner before using this tool. Using it without permission is illegal.

What happens if I try to use it without permission?

Misuse is illegal and strictly prohibited. The tool has safeguards to prevent unauthorized use.

Can I test any system?

No, you can only test systems that are within the defined scope and for which you have explicit, written authorization.

Details

Original description by the author

Perform basic penetration testing and security assessments.

repo: sickn33/agentic-awesome-skills

Popularity

GitHub stars
48k
Ranking position
#3806
License
MIT
Updated
10/15/2026

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