What is branch-guard?
branch-guard is a Claude Code mod by Justmalhar that stops Claude from editing files or running mutating git commands on main or master, and points it at a worktree instead. It is listed under Security and has 1 GitHub stars.
| Type | Claude code mod |
|---|---|
| Author | Justmalhar |
| Repository | Justmalhar/awesome-claude-mods |
| Popularity | 1 GitHub stars |
| Category | Security |
| Security | Low risk (88/100) |
| Rank | #1,886 of 5,272 Claude Code mods; #222 in Security |
| License | MIT |
| Last commit | 2026-10-04 |
| Hooks | 1 events |
| Sees | Write|Edit|MultiEdit|Bash calls |
| Draws on | nothing |
Is branch-guard safe to install?
branch-guard scores 88/100 on the MCPMods security check: Low risk. Things to review: starts processes outside the sandbox. It passed 7 of 8 checks.
Mod footprints come from claude plugin validate, which lists every event a mod hooks and every API call it makes without running it.
| Check | Result |
|---|---|
| No network access | Pass |
| Starts processes outside the sandbox | Review |
| Writes no files or config | Pass |
| Doesn't read environment variables | Pass |
| Only sees the events it hooks | Pass |
| Doesn't drive Claude | Pass |
| Passes claude plugin validate | Pass |
| Has an open-source license | Pass |
API calls in its code
| Call | What it means |
|---|---|
$.process.run | runs processes |
$.session.cwd | |
$.ui.ask | draws interface |
How do I install branch-guard?
- Check your Claude Code version. Mods need Claude Code 2.1.287 or later and are on by default.
claude --version
- Read its footprint. This lists every event it hooks and every API call it makes, without running it.
git clone https://github.com/Justmalhar/awesome-claude-mods claude plugin validate ./awesome-claude-mods/mods/branch-guard
- Install it. Run this in your terminal, then /reload-plugins in an open session.
claude plugin marketplace add Justmalhar/awesome-claude-mods && claude plugin install branch-guard@awesome-claude-mods
Or ask Claude to set it up
Paste this into Claude Code and it installs branch-guard for you:
Install the "branch-guard" Claude Code mod from https://github.com/Justmalhar/awesome-claude-mods/tree/main/mods/branch-guard. Run claude plugin validate on it first and show me what it can access before you enable it.
More from Justmalhar/awesome-claude-mods
This repository has at least 9 Claude Code mods on MCPMods.
- auto-checkpoint: Snapshots the working tree into hidden git refs at the start of every turn, with /checkpoints to list them and /undo-tur (Low risk)
- cost-bar: A one-row band above the prompt with session cost, 5h/7d plan limits and an optional budget bar. (Low risk)
- file-tree-pane: Adds /tree: a side pane with a lazy file tree coloured by git status. Press a file to put @path in the prompt. (Low risk)
- notify-on-finish: Sends a desktop notification when a long turn finishes, so you can look away while Claude works. (Low risk)
- path-guard: Blocks Write, Edit and MultiEdit calls that target a path outside the project root or inside .git, plus optional deny gl (Low risk)
- powerline-bar: A one-row powerline-style band above the prompt: directory, git branch and state, model, context fill. (Review before installing)
- secret-guard: Blocks Write, Edit and Bash calls that would put an API key, token or private key into a file or command. (Low risk)
- sensitive-file-guard: Blocks Read, Write, Edit, Grep, Glob and Bash calls that touch .env files, private keys and credential stores. (Low risk)