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strix/docs/advanced/skills.mdx
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---
title: "Skills"
description: "Specialized knowledge packages that enhance agent capabilities"
---
Skills are structured knowledge packages that give Strix agents deep expertise in specific vulnerability types, technologies, and testing methodologies.
## The Idea
LLMs have broad but shallow security knowledge. They know _about_ SQL injection, but lack the nuanced techniques that experienced pentesters use—parser quirks, bypass methods, validation tricks, and chain attacks.
Skills inject this deep, specialized knowledge directly into the agent's context, transforming it from a generalist into a specialist for the task at hand.
## How They Work
When Strix spawns an agent for a specific task, it selects up to 5 relevant skills based on the context:
```python
# Agent created for JWT testing automatically loads relevant skills
create_agent(
task="Test authentication mechanisms",
skills=["authentication_jwt", "business_logic"]
)
```
The skills are injected into the agent's system prompt, giving it access to:
- **Advanced techniques** — Non-obvious methods beyond standard testing
- **Working payloads** — Practical examples with variations
- **Validation methods** — How to confirm findings and avoid false positives
## Skill Categories
### Vulnerabilities
Core vulnerability classes with deep exploitation techniques.
| Skill | Coverage |
| ------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------ |
| `authentication_jwt` | JWT attacks, algorithm confusion, claim tampering |
| `idor` | Object reference attacks, horizontal/vertical access |
| `sql_injection` | SQL injection variants, WAF bypasses, blind techniques |
| `xss` | XSS types, filter bypasses, DOM exploitation |
| `ssrf` | Server-side request forgery, protocol handlers |
| `csrf` | Cross-site request forgery, token bypasses |
| `xxe` | XML external entities, OOB exfiltration |
| `rce` | Remote code execution vectors |
| `business_logic` | Logic flaws, state manipulation, race conditions |
| `race_conditions` | TOCTOU, parallel request attacks |
| `path_traversal_lfi_rfi` | File inclusion, path traversal |
| `open_redirect` | Redirect bypasses, URL parsing tricks |
| `mass_assignment` | Attribute injection, hidden parameter pollution |
| `insecure_file_uploads` | Upload bypasses, extension tricks |
| `information_disclosure` | Data leakage, error-based enumeration |
| `subdomain_takeover` | Dangling DNS, cloud resource claims |
| `broken_function_level_authorization` | Privilege escalation, role bypasses |
### Frameworks
Framework-specific testing patterns.
| Skill | Coverage |
| --------- | -------------------------------------------- |
| `fastapi` | FastAPI security patterns, Pydantic bypasses |
| `nextjs` | Next.js SSR/SSG issues, API route security |
### Technologies
Third-party service and platform security.
| Skill | Coverage |
| -------------------- | ---------------------------------- |
| `supabase` | Supabase RLS bypasses, auth issues |
| `firebase_firestore` | Firestore rules, Firebase auth |
### Protocols
Protocol-specific testing techniques.
| Skill | Coverage |
| --------- | ------------------------------------------------ |
| `graphql` | GraphQL introspection, batching, resolver issues |
## Skill Structure
Each skill uses XML-style tags for structure:
```xml
<vulnerability_guide>
<title>NAME</title>
<critical>Key insight about this vulnerability</critical>
<scope>What this skill covers</scope>
<methodology>Step-by-step testing approach</methodology>
<discovery_techniques>How to find it</discovery_techniques>
<exploitation_techniques>How to exploit it</exploitation_techniques>
<bypass_techniques>How to bypass protections</bypass_techniques>
<validation>How to confirm findings</validation>
<false_positives>What to watch out for</false_positives>
<pro_tips>Additional Expert advice</pro_tips>
</vulnerability_guide>
```
## Contributing Skills
Community contributions are welcome. Good skills include:
1. **Real-world techniques** — Methods that work in practice
2. **Practical payloads** — Working examples with variations
3. **Validation steps** — How to confirm without false positives
4. **Context awareness** — Version/environment-specific behavior