About validate-bug
validate-bug is a skill for independently checking a bug reproduction package after reproduce-bug. It reruns the unchanged PoC or compiler command and records whether the claim is confirmed, not confirmed, or inconclusive.
Key features
- 01Review finding and raw receipts
- 02Rerun unchanged reproduction steps
- 03Assess claim against stated invariant
- 04Package validation receipts and decision
Use cases
- 01Independently verify a reproduced bug
- 02Resolve uncertain reproduction evidence
Install
Copy the command and run it in a terminal.
npx skills add https:/ / github.com/ trailofbits/ skills --skill validate-bugAfter installing, type/validate-bugin Claude Code to confirm it loaded.
Details
From the project READMEValidate Bug
When to Use
Use after reproduce-bug has supplied a finding and PoC package. Read the
record contract.
Before target commands, follow its project guidance.
When NOT to Use
Do not use to repair a PoC, develop a patch, or infer reproduction from the reproducer's narrative.
Procedure
-
Read
finding.json, the reproduction's proof type, commands, any PoC, and raw receipts. Do not read the reproducer's transcript. -
Rerun the same baseline compiler command for compile failures, or rebuild and rerun the unchanged runtime PoC and planned scoped inputs. Save stdout, stderr, exit status and timing in
validate/receipts/. If an observation is unreliable, returninconclusiveinstead of inferring either presence or absence. -
Decide whether the target diagnostic or runtime assertion demonstrates the exact claim and violates the stated invariant. Write
validate.jsonasconfirmed,not_confirmed, orinconclusivewith a short reason and agent identity.
{
"schema_version": 1,
"outcome": "confirmed",
"agent": "validator-1",
"reason": "The unchanged PoC reached the assertion and demonstrated the claim."
}
- Manifest the complete
validate/directory withuv run --no-project <script> manifest <validate-step-dir>, then run the record checker. Return the package without editing the PoC or finding.
Rationalizations to Reject
| Shortcut | Required action |
|---|---|
| Fix the PoC to make the claim work. | Mark it inconclusive and explain why. |
| Trust the reproducer's conclusion. | Rerun the unchanged package independently. |