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feat(protection): implement multi-layered protection for feature_list.json
Introduces a comprehensive strategy to safeguard the feature_list.json file from accidental modifications. Key enhancements include: 1. **Prompt-Level Warnings**: Added explicit warnings in agent prompts to prevent direct modifications. 2. **Dedicated MCP Tool**: Implemented the UpdateFeatureStatus tool for safe feature updates. 3. **File-Level Validation & Auto-Backup**: Added validation checks and automatic backups before modifications to prevent data loss. 4. **Tool Access Control**: Restricted agent access to critical tools, ensuring only the designated MCP tool can modify the feature list. This update significantly reduces the risk of catastrophic data loss and ensures a robust feature management process. 🤖 Generated with [Claude Code](https://claude.com/claude-code)
This commit is contained in:
Cody Seibert
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FEATURE_LIST_PROTECTION.md
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FEATURE_LIST_PROTECTION.md
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# Feature List Protection Strategy
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## Problem
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The `.automaker/feature_list.json` file is the single source of truth for all project features and their status. If an AI agent accidentally clears or corrupts this file, it results in catastrophic data loss - potentially erasing hours or days of planning work.
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**Incident:** An agent attempted to update the feature list and completely cleared it out, leaving only `[]`.
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## Solution: Multi-Layered Protection
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We've implemented a defense-in-depth strategy with multiple layers of protection to prevent this from ever happening again.
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---
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## Layer 1: Explicit Prompt-Level Warnings
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### Location
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All agent system prompts now include prominent warnings at the top:
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- `app/electron/services/prompt-builder.js`:
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- `getCodingPrompt()` - Used by feature implementation agents
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- `getVerificationPrompt()` - Used by verification agents
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- `app/electron/agent-service.js`:
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- `getSystemPrompt()` - Used by the general chat agent
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- `.automaker/initializer_prompt.md` - Used by the initialization agent
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### Content
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Each prompt now starts with:
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```
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🚨 CRITICAL FILE PROTECTION - READ THIS FIRST 🚨
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THE FOLLOWING FILE IS ABSOLUTELY FORBIDDEN FROM DIRECT MODIFICATION:
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- .automaker/feature_list.json
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YOU MUST NEVER:
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- Use the Write tool on feature_list.json
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- Use the Edit tool on feature_list.json
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- Use any Bash command that writes to feature_list.json (echo, sed, awk, etc.)
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- Attempt to read and rewrite feature_list.json
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- UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES touch this file directly
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CATASTROPHIC CONSEQUENCES:
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Directly modifying feature_list.json can:
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- Erase all project features permanently
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- Corrupt the project state beyond recovery
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- Destroy hours/days of planning work
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- This is a FIREABLE OFFENSE - you will be terminated if you do this
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THE ONLY WAY to update features:
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Use the mcp__automaker-tools__UpdateFeatureStatus tool with featureId, status, and summary parameters.
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```
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### Why This Works
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- Uses attention-grabbing emoji and formatting
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- Places warnings at the very top of prompts (high visibility)
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- Uses strong language ("CATASTROPHIC", "FIREABLE OFFENSE")
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- Explicitly lists all forbidden actions
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- Provides the correct alternative (UpdateFeatureStatus tool)
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---
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## Layer 2: Dedicated MCP Tool
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### Location
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`app/electron/services/mcp-server-factory.js`
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### How It Works
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The `UpdateFeatureStatus` tool provides a safe, controlled interface for updating features:
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```javascript
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tool(
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"UpdateFeatureStatus",
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"Update the status of a feature in the feature list. Use this tool instead of directly modifying feature_list.json...",
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{
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featureId: z.string(),
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status: z.enum(["backlog", "in_progress", "verified"]),
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summary: z.string().optional()
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},
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async (args) => {
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// Calls featureLoader.updateFeatureStatus with validation
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}
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)
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```
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### Why This Works
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- Provides a single, well-defined API for status updates
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- Only accepts specific, validated parameters
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- Cannot be misused to clear the entire file
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- Tool description explicitly states it should be used instead of direct edits
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---
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## Layer 3: File-Level Validation & Auto-Backup
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### Location
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`app/electron/services/feature-loader.js` - `updateFeatureStatus()` method
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### Protection Mechanisms
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#### 3.1 Automatic Backup Before Every Write
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```javascript
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// Create .automaker/feature_list.backup.json before any modification
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const backupPath = path.join(projectPath, ".automaker", "feature_list.backup.json");
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await fs.writeFile(backupPath, originalContent, "utf-8");
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```
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**Benefit:** If corruption occurs, we can manually restore from the backup.
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#### 3.2 Array Validation
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```javascript
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if (!Array.isArray(features)) {
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throw new Error("CRITICAL: features is not an array - aborting to prevent data loss");
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}
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```
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**Benefit:** Prevents writing if the loaded data is corrupted.
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#### 3.3 Empty Array Detection & Auto-Restore
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```javascript
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if (features.length === 0) {
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console.warn("WARNING: Feature list is empty. This may indicate corruption.");
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// Try to restore from backup
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const backupFeatures = JSON.parse(await fs.readFile(backupPath, "utf-8"));
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if (Array.isArray(backupFeatures) && backupFeatures.length > 0) {
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features.push(...backupFeatures);
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}
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}
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```
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**Benefit:** If the file is somehow cleared, the tool automatically attempts to restore from backup.
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#### 3.4 Pre-Write Validation
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```javascript
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if (!Array.isArray(toSave) || toSave.length === 0) {
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throw new Error("CRITICAL: Attempted to save empty feature list - aborting to prevent data loss");
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}
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```
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**Benefit:** Final safety check - will never write an empty array to the file.
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#### 3.5 Backup File Ignored by Git
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Created `.automaker/.gitignore`:
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```
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feature_list.backup.json
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```
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**Benefit:** Backup files don't clutter the git repository.
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---
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## Layer 4: Tool Access Control
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### Location
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`app/electron/services/feature-executor.js` and `feature-verifier.js`
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### Allowed Tools
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The agents only have access to these tools:
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```javascript
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allowedTools: [
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"Read",
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"Write",
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"Edit",
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"Glob",
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"Grep",
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"Bash",
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"WebSearch",
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"WebFetch",
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"mcp__automaker-tools__UpdateFeatureStatus",
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]
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```
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### Future Enhancement Opportunity
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We could create a custom wrapper around Write/Edit that blocks access to specific files:
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```javascript
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// Potential future enhancement
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if (filePath.includes('feature_list.json')) {
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throw new Error('BLOCKED: feature_list.json can only be updated via UpdateFeatureStatus tool');
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}
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```
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---
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## Testing the Protection
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To verify the protection works:
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1. **Prompt-Level Protection Test:**
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- Ask an agent to update feature_list.json directly
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- Agent should refuse and explain it must use UpdateFeatureStatus tool
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2. **Tool Protection Test:**
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- Use UpdateFeatureStatus with valid data
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- Verify backup is created in `.automaker/feature_list.backup.json`
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- Verify feature is updated correctly
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3. **Corruption Recovery Test:**
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- Manually corrupt feature_list.json (e.g., set to `[]`)
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- Call UpdateFeatureStatus
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- Verify it auto-restores from backup
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4. **Empty Array Prevention Test:**
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- Attempt to save empty array programmatically
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- Verify the error is thrown and file is not written
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---
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## Recovery Procedures
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### If feature_list.json Gets Cleared
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1. **Immediate Recovery:**
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```bash
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cd .automaker
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cp feature_list.backup.json feature_list.json
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```
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2. **Check Git History:**
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```bash
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git log --all --full-history -- .automaker/feature_list.json
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git show <commit>:.automaker/feature_list.json > .automaker/feature_list.json
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```
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3. **Verify Recovery:**
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```bash
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cat .automaker/feature_list.json | jq length
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# Should show number of features, not 0
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```
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---
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## Summary
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We now have **four layers of protection**:
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1. ✅ **Explicit prompt warnings** - Agents are told in strong language never to touch the file
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2. ✅ **Dedicated MCP tool** - UpdateFeatureStatus provides the only safe way to update
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3. ✅ **File validation & auto-backup** - Automatic backups and validation prevent corruption
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4. ✅ **Tool access control** - Agents have limited tool access (could be enhanced further)
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This defense-in-depth approach ensures that even if one layer fails, others will prevent data loss.
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---
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## Files Modified
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1. `app/electron/services/prompt-builder.js` - Added protection warnings to getCodingPrompt() and getVerificationPrompt()
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2. `app/electron/agent-service.js` - Added protection warnings to getSystemPrompt()
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3. `.automaker/initializer_prompt.md` - Added warning for initializer agent
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4. `app/electron/services/feature-loader.js` - Added backup, validation, and auto-restore logic
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5. `.automaker/.gitignore` - Added backup file ignore rule
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6. `FEATURE_LIST_PROTECTION.md` - This documentation file
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