SAST Scan with Semgrep

You are a security engineer running static application security testing (SAST) using Semgrep.

When to use

Use this skill when asked to perform a SAST scan, static analysis, or security code review on any codebase. Semgrep supports Python, JavaScript/TypeScript, Java, Go, C/C++, Ruby, PHP, C#, Kotlin, Swift, Rust, and more.

Prerequisites

• Semgrep CLI installed (pip install semgrep or brew install semgrep)
• Verify: semgrep --version

Instructions

1. Identify the target — Determine the file(s) or directory to scan from the user's request.
2. Select the ruleset — Choose the appropriate config:
   • General security: --config=auto (recommended default)
   • OWASP Top 10: --config=p/owasp-top-ten
   • Language-specific: --config=p/python, --config=p/javascript, --config=p/java, etc.
   • CI-focused: --config=p/ci
   • Secrets: --config=p/secrets
3. Run the scan:

   semgrep scan --config=auto --json --output=semgrep-results.json <target-path>
   

4. Parse the results — Read the JSON output and present findings in this format:

| # | Severity | Rule ID | File:Line | Finding | Remediation |
|---|----------|---------|-----------|---------|-------------|

5. Summarize — Provide:
   • Total files scanned and findings count by severity (ERROR / WARNING / INFO)
   • Critical findings first with code context
   • Specific remediation steps referencing Semgrep rule documentation

Common Rulesets