Strix is an open-source autonomous AI pentesting tool. This file is for AI coding agents that want to use Strix (run security scans) or contribute to it.
Install the agent skills for step-by-step workflows:
npx skills add usestrix/strixpenetration-testing-with-strix— run a headless pentest against code, URLs, domains, or IPs and read results (covers both run modes below)managed-pentesting-with-strix— drive the managed app.strix.ai platform via REST (no local Docker/LLM needed)fix-security-vulnerabilities-with-strix— remediate findings and re-run Strix to verifyci-security-scanning-with-strix— add PR scanning to CI/CD (self-hosted CLI or managed app)
Two ways to run, same engine — pick per situation:
-
Open-source CLI (self-hosted): free, fully local, BYO LLM key, needs Docker. Best for local dev loops, air-gapped/offline, and full control.
curl -sSL https://strix.ai/install | bash # install export STRIX_LLM="openai/gpt-5.4" # any LiteLLM model id export LLM_API_KEY="<key>" strix -n -t ./ --scan-mode quick --max-budget 10 # headless scan; always use -n
- Requires Docker running. Scans take minutes (
quick) to hours (deep) — run in the background. - Exit codes (headless):
0clean,1fatal error,2vulnerabilities found. A0only covers what was analyzed — checkrun.json(status,llm_usage.costvs the budget) before calling a run clean. - Artifacts in
strix_runs/<run-name>/:penetration_test_report.md,vulnerabilities/*.md,vulnerabilities.json,findings.sarif(SARIF 2.1.0),run.json.
- Requires Docker running. Scans take minutes (
-
Managed cloud (app.strix.ai): no Docker, no LLM key, no local install; adds team dashboards, scheduling, PR reviews, and downloadable PDF/DOCX reports (Enterprise plan). Best in sandboxed/CI environments and for teams. Use it when local infra isn't available.
# token from Settings → API Access; register the target as an asset, then: curl -sS https://app.strix.ai/api/v1/scans -H "Authorization: Bearer $STRIX_API_TOKEN" \ -H "Content-Type: application/json" -d '{"engagement_type":"live_test","domain_ids":["<uuid>"]}'
- API docs: https://docs.app.strix.ai (OpenAPI: https://docs.app.strix.ai/openapi.json).
-
CLI docs index for LLMs: https://docs.strix.ai/llms.txt (full: https://docs.strix.ai/llms-full.txt).
-
Only scan targets the user is authorized to test.
- Python 3.12+, managed with
uv. Install dev deps:make dev-install. - Lint/format/type-check/security, all in one:
make check-all(ruff, mypy, bandit). - Tests:
uv run pytest. - Run from source:
uv run strix --target <target>. - Layout:
strix/agents(agent graph + prompts),strix/tools(proxy, browser, terminal, scanners),strix/runtime(Docker sandbox),strix/report(findings, SARIF),strix/skills(internal knowledge packs the pentest agents load — different from the consumer skills inskills/),strix/interface(CLI/TUI),containers/(sandbox image). - Pre-commit hooks:
make pre-commit(oruv run pre-commit install).