HOL Guard

★★★★☆4.1 / 5 editorial Free Free and open source (Apache-2.0) for the local runtime; Guard Cloud team features are paid — check the official site for current pricing.

A free local guard that checks every AI coding agent action before it runs.

✓ Editor-verified listing — details reviewed by Grab AI Tool editors; pricing re-checked regularly.

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#coding#security#agents#open-source#developers

What is HOL Guard?

HOL Guard is a free, open-source, local-first guard for AI coding agents. It sits between agents such as Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, and Copilot CLI and the machine they run on, reviewing each shell command, file read, package install, and MCP tool call before it runs — then allowing it, blocking it, or asking you first, based on a policy you control. Version 3.58.0 shipped on October 27, 2026.

Everything runs on your own computer with no account required: decisions are logged locally, secrets and destructive commands are flagged before damage happens, and an optional Guard Cloud adds team policies and synced history only if you want it. For anyone letting an agent touch real files and credentials, it is a sensible safety layer — one layer, not a guarantee.

Key Features

Reviews shell commands, file access, package installs, and MCP calls before they run
Allow, block, or ask-first decisions based on a local policy you control
Flags secret exposure, destructive commands, and supply-chain risk
Works with Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, Copilot CLI, Gemini CLI, and more
Local audit log of every decision, with no account required

Pros

Free, open source, and local — your files never leave your machine
Catches risky agent actions before they run, not after
No account needed to start, with a clear local audit trail

Cons

It can only see what each coding agent's hooks expose, so coverage varies by agent
The company itself calls it not a complete prompt-injection preventer
Frequent approval prompts can slow fast-moving developers if the policy is set too strict

Pricing

Model: Free
Free and open source (Apache-2.0) for the local runtime; Guard Cloud team features are paid — check the official site for current pricing.

Adding Up Your AI Bill?

If you pay for HOL Guard alongside other AI subscriptions, the monthly total adds up quietly. Tick every tool you pay for in our free AI Tool Cost Calculator to see your real monthly and yearly bill — and spot overlaps you can cut. Still choosing? Start with our guide on how to choose the right AI tool.