Best AI agent for security
Which agents people actually use for security, counted from 5 real use cases, with the top examples for each.
Going by documented use cases, not a lab test: of the 5 security use cases on agentsetups, Claude appears in 4, Codex appears in 2, Cursor appears in 1.
Most-discussed: Have a small local model vet agent shell commands by Changsu Seong (Claude, Cursor).
Quick start (from Have a small local model vet agent shell commands by Changsu Seong):
- Run a small local server that classifies each tool call as allow, review or block; the agent’s hook calls it before execution.
- Test on everyday commands: the first version blocked ls -la and npm run build, so add a careful allowlist.
- Don’t allowlist by command name alone (git log --output can write files); split command chains (&&, |) and check every part.
+1 more step in the copyable prompt.
Counts reflect what people post about, not quality or market share.
Last updated · based on 336 use cases on agentsetups, each credited to its author.
Agents by use cases
| Agent | Use cases |
|---|---|
| Claude | 4 |
| Codex | 2 |
| Cursor | 1 |
| Grok Bot | 1 |
| Gemini CLI | 1 |
Claude for security 4
- Have a small local model vet agent shell commands
A hook sends every command to a 322M local model that returns allow, review or block; tuned against false blocks and chained commands.
Claude, Cursor · Security · by Changsu Seong (DEV post, 11 Oct 2026) · source
- Protect files with sandbox, hooks and checkpoints
Turn on /sandbox, block destructive commands with hooks, and keep git checkpoints so one bad command is a one-step rollback.
Claude · Security · by anassBld (DEV post, 8 Oct 2026) · source
- Stop agents editing tests to make them pass
Hooks snapshot test-file hashes at session start and block risky outbound commands, across Claude Code, Codex and Gemini CLI.
Claude, Codex, Gemini CLI · Security · by hao li (DEV post, 30 Sep 2026) · source
Codex for security 2
- Stop agents editing tests to make them pass
Hooks snapshot test-file hashes at session start and block risky outbound commands, across Claude Code, Codex and Gemini CLI.
Claude, Codex, Gemini CLI · Security · by hao li (DEV post, 30 Sep 2026) · source
- Sandbox an unattended Claude Code loop
ralph-sandbox: internal Docker network with an allowlist proxy, no Docker socket, host-side snapshots, read-only QA agent.
Claude, Codex · Security · by Jean Manzo (X post, 7 Oct 2026) · source
Cursor for security 1
- Have a small local model vet agent shell commands
A hook sends every command to a 322M local model that returns allow, review or block; tuned against false blocks and chained commands.
Claude, Cursor · Security · by Changsu Seong (DEV post, 11 Oct 2026) · source
Grok Bot for security 1
- Have Grok Bot investigate a suspicious email
An email passed SPF, DKIM and DMARC, but Grok Bot found the hidden phishing link and explained why the checks passed.
Grok Bot · Security · by Alex (X post, 15 Oct 2026) · source
Gemini CLI for security 1
- Stop agents editing tests to make them pass
Hooks snapshot test-file hashes at session start and block risky outbound commands, across Claude Code, Codex and Gemini CLI.
Claude, Codex, Gemini CLI · Security · by hao li (DEV post, 30 Sep 2026) · source
Questions people ask
What is the best AI agent for security?
There is no single winner in the data. Of 5 security use cases on agentsetups, Claude (4), Codex (2), Cursor (1), Grok Bot (1). Pick the one whose examples look most like your task.
Which AI agents do people use for security?
From the sources: Claude (4), Codex (2), Cursor (1), Grok Bot (1), Gemini CLI (1).
How do I set up an AI agent for security?
Copy a setup that already worked. Have a small local model vet agent shell commands by Changsu Seong (Claude, Cursor): 1) Run a small local server that classifies each tool call as allow, review or block; the agent’s hook calls it before execution. 2) Test on everyday commands: the first version blocked ls -la and npm run build, so add a careful allowlist. 3) Don’t allowlist by command name alone (git log --output can write files); split command chains (&&, |) and check every part. The use-case page has the full prompt.