DollhouseMCP

# Session Notes - September 30, 2025 Morning **Date**: September 30, 2025 **Time**: 10:15 AM - 11:00 AM (45 minutes) **Focus**: Issue #1211 - ElementFormatter security validation false positives **Outcome**: ✅ COMPLETE - PR #1212 merged to develop --- ## 🎯 Session Objectives **Primary**: Fix Issue #1211 - ElementFormatter hits security scanner false positives on legitimate content **Secondary**: Address PR #1212 review feedback (method signature, tests, configuration) --- ## 📊 Session Summary ### Time Breakdown - **Issue #1211 Fix**: 15 minutes (10:15-10:34 AM) - **PR Review Response**: 30 minutes (10:34-11:00 AM) - **Total**: 45 minutes ### Deliverables 1. ✅ Fixed Issue #1211 (3 critical/high/medium fixes) 2. ✅ Created PR #1212 with comprehensive documentation 3. ✅ Addressed all review feedback (method signature, tests, configuration) 4. ✅ Merged PR #1212 to develop 5. ✅ Created Issue #1213 (memory loading bug discovered during testing) 6. ✅ Created Issue #1214 (configuration enhancement recommendation) --- ## 🔧 Issue #1211: ElementFormatter Security False Positives ### Problem Statement ElementFormatter could not process sonarcloud memory files because it used `validateContent: true` throughout, hitting security scanner false positives on legitimate content containing rule patterns and API documentation. ### Root Cause Analysis **Initial Hypothesis**: ElementFormatter has `validateContent: true` in 5 locations. **ACTUAL Root Cause** (discovered during testing): - **SecureYamlParser.ts line 154** calls `ContentValidator.validateYamlContent()` **unconditionally** - The `opts.validateContent` flag was being ignored in the pre-parse validation step - ElementFormatter's `validateContent: false` calls were ineffective until SecureYamlParser was fixed ### Three Fixes Implemented #### 1. CRITICAL: SecureYamlParser.ts:154 ```typescript // BEFORE (BUG): if (!ContentValidator.validateYamlContent(yamlContent)) { throw new SecurityError('Malicious YAML content detected', 'critical'); } // AFTER (FIX): // FIX (Issue #1211): Only validate content if validateContent option is true if (opts.validateContent && !ContentValidator.validateYamlContent(yamlContent)) { throw new SecurityError('Malicious YAML content detected', 'critical'); } ``` **Impact**: This was the actual bug - the option was being ignored. #### 2. HIGH: ElementFormatter.ts (5 locations) Changed all 5 `SecureYamlParser.parse()` calls to use `validateContent: false`: - Line 178 (validateFormattedContent) - Line 402 (parseMemoryContent) - Line 531 (formatStandardElement - frontmatter) - Line 605 (extractEmbeddedMetadata - alternative end) - Line 622 (extractEmbeddedMetadata - main path) **Comment added**: `// FIX (Issue #1211): Local files are pre-trusted (same as MemoryManager PR #1207)` #### 3. MEDIUM: ElementFormatter.ts:482 (Memory Naming) ```typescript // BEFORE (BAD): if (!data.name && data.entries?.[0]?.id) { data.name = data.entries[0].id; // ← Produces "mem_1759077319164_w9m9fk56y" } // AFTER (GOOD): private ensureMemoryStructure(data: any, filePath: string, result: FormatterResult): void { if (!data.name) { const filename = path.basename(filePath, path.extname(filePath)); data.name = filename; // ← Produces "sonarcloud-rules-reference" } } ``` **Impact**: Produces human-readable memory names derived from filenames. ### Verification **Test Files**: - `~/.dollhouse/portfolio/memories/2025-09-28/sonarcloud-rules-reference.yaml` - `~/.dollhouse/portfolio/memories/2025-09-27/sonarcloud-api-reference.yaml` **Results**: ``` ✓ sonarcloud-rules-reference.yaml - 6 fixes applied, NO SECURITY ERRORS ✓ sonarcloud-api-reference.yaml - 6 fixes applied, NO SECURITY ERRORS ✓ Names: sonarcloud-rules-reference, sonarcloud-api-reference (not random IDs) ``` --- ## 📝 PR #1212: Review and Merge ### Initial PR - **Created**: 10:34 AM - **Commits**: 1 (fix commit `5a0df39`) - **Changes**: 2 files (+22, -13) ### Review Feedback (Automated Claude Review) 1. 🟡 Method signature change - verify all callers updated 2. 🟡 No test coverage - add unit tests 3. 💡 Consider configuration option for validation behavior ### Response Actions #### 1. Method Signature Verification ✅ **Analysis**: ```bash grep formatMemory\( src/ → ElementFormatter.ts:159 (already updated with filePath) → BuildInfoService.ts:328 (different method - formats bytes) ``` **Result**: Only 1 caller exists, already updated. No runtime risk. #### 2. Test Coverage Added ✅ **Commit**: `84c708c` (+173 lines of tests) **5 New Test Cases**: 1. **validateContent: false with security triggers** - Tests SonarCloud rule patterns that triggered original issue - Verifies no "Malicious YAML" errors 2. **validateContent: false with API patterns** - Tests API documentation with authentication tokens - Verifies legitimate content processes successfully 3. **Filename-based naming - missing name** - Verifies name derived from filename - Anti-regression: Checks against random ID pattern `/mem_\d+_[a-z0-9]+/` 4. **Filename-based naming - existing name preserved** - Verifies existing names not overwritten 5. **Complex filename handling** - Tests: hyphens, underscores, capitals, dates - Examples: `session-2025-09-28-afternoon`, `my_complex_memory_name`, `SomeCapitalLetters` **Test Results**: All 5 pass ✅ #### 3. Configuration Enhancement Tracked ✅ **Created**: Issue #1214 - "enhancement(formatter): Add configuration option for default validation behavior" **Scope**: - Not blocking for bug fix PR - Good future enhancement - Comprehensive implementation plan documented - 2-4 hour estimate ### Final PR Status **Automated Reviews**: 3 reviews, all 5-star ratings - Initial: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Highly Recommended for Merge" - After tests: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Excellent - Ready for Merge" - Test commit: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Exceptional - Production ready" **CI Checks**: 14/14 PASSED ✅ - Test (ubuntu/windows/macos) - Docker Build & Test (amd64/arm64) - Docker Compose Test - Security Audit (2 implementations) - SonarCloud Quality Gate - CodeQL Analysis - QA Automated Tests - Validate Build Artifacts **Security Scans**: ✅ ZERO ISSUES - 0 Critical, 0 High, 0 Medium, 0 Low - 261 files scanned ### Merge Details **Merged**: 2025-09-30 14:53:36Z (2:53 PM) **Merged By**: @mickdarling **Target**: develop branch **Commit**: `e723748` **Branch**: `fix/issue-1211-formatter-security` (deleted) **Method**: Squash merge **Final Stats**: - Files changed: 3 - Additions: +195 - Deletions: -13 - Net: +182 lines --- ## 🐛 Issue #1213: Memory Portfolio Search Bug (DISCOVERED) ### Problem Discovery While testing Issue #1211 fix, discovered memory files cannot be activated by name even though they load successfully. ### Current Behavior (BROKEN) ```bash # Files exist as .yaml in date folders $ ls ~/.dollhouse/portfolio/memories/2025-09-28/ sonarcloud-rules-reference.yaml ← .yaml extension $ ls ~/.dollhouse/portfolio/memories/2025-09-27/ sonarcloud-api-reference.yaml ← .yaml extension # Files have correct name fields $ grep "^name:" ~/.dollhouse/portfolio/memories/2025-09-28/sonarcloud-rules-reference.yaml name: sonarcloud-rules-reference ← Correct name field # Reload succeeds and reports files loaded $ mcp__dollhousemcp-production__reload_elements --type memories → 🔄 Reloaded 111 memories from portfolio ← Loaded successfully # BUT portfolio search reports WRONG extension $ mcp__dollhousemcp-production__search_portfolio --query "sonarcloud-rules-reference" --type memories → Result: sonarcloud-rules-reference → File: sonarcloud-rules-reference.md ← ❌ WRONG - should be .yaml # AND activation FAILS $ mcp__dollhousemcp-production__activate_element --name "sonarcloud-rules-reference" --type memories → ❌ Memory 'sonarcloud-rules-reference' not found ← Cannot activate ``` ### Expected Behavior 1. Portfolio search should report correct file extension (`.yaml`) 2. Memories should be activatable by their `name:` field 3. Files in date folders (`YYYY-MM-DD/*.yaml`) should load and activate correctly ### Investigation Context for Next Session #### File Locations Verified **Actual Files** (verified with `find` and `ls`): ``` ~/.dollhouse/portfolio/memories/2025-09-28/sonarcloud-rules-reference.yaml ~/.dollhouse/portfolio/memories/2025-09-27/sonarcloud-api-reference.yaml ``` **File Contents Verified**: - Both have proper `name:` fields matching filenames - Both are valid YAML format - Both formatted successfully with ElementFormatter - Both files have proper structure (version, tags, entries, etc.) #### Portfolio Search Discrepancy **Search Results Show**: ``` 🧠 sonarcloud-rules-reference 📁 Type: memories 📝 Comprehensive reference for SonarCloud rules... 📄 File: sonarcloud-rules-reference.md ← WRONG EXTENSION ``` **But filesystem shows**: `.yaml` files in date folders #### Reload Behavior **Reload Output**: `🔄 Reloaded 111 memories from portfolio` **Questions**: 1. Are date folder files being loaded? 2. Is the index storing wrong extensions? 3. Is there a separate index for root vs date folders? 4. Are `.md` versions in root being loaded instead? #### Additional Context **From portfolio search**: Found `.md` versions in search results that don't exist on filesystem: - Search shows: `sonarcloud-api-reference.md` - Filesystem shows: No `.md` files in root memories folder - Only file found in root: `sonarcloud-suppressions-duplication-insight.yaml` ### Root Cause Hypotheses #### Hypothesis 1: Index stores wrong extension (MOST LIKELY) **Theory**: Portfolio indexer hardcodes `.md` extension when indexing memories. **Supporting Evidence**: - Search shows `.md` but filesystem has `.yaml` - Files in date folders should be `.yaml` (per CLAUDE.md) - Index creation may assume all elements are `.md` format **Investigation Steps**: 1. Find PortfolioManager memory loading code 2. Check how file extensions are stored in index 3. Look for hardcoded `.md` assumptions #### Hypothesis 2: Date folder loading issue **Theory**: Memories in `YYYY-MM-DD/` folders aren't loading correctly. **Supporting Evidence**: - Activation fails even after reload - Reload says "111 memories" but can't find specific ones - May be counting but not properly indexing **Investigation Steps**: 1. Check MemoryManager.ts date folder scanning logic 2. Verify index includes date folder files 3. Check activation lookup path #### Hypothesis 3: Search display bug only **Theory**: Files load correctly but search displays wrong extension. **Supporting Evidence**: - Reload reports success (111 files) - Files have correct structure and names **Counter-Evidence**: - Activation also fails (not just search display) - This points to deeper loading issue ### Files to Investigate (Next Session) #### Priority 1: Memory Loading ``` src/managers/MemoryManager.ts - Look for date folder scanning - Check file extension handling - Verify index creation ``` #### Priority 2: Portfolio Index ``` src/portfolio/PortfolioManager.ts - Check how extensions are stored - Look for .md hardcoding - Verify date folder support ``` #### Priority 3: Element Activation ``` src/managers/MemoryManager.ts (or BaseElementManager) - Check how activation looks up files - Verify name-to-file mapping - Check if date folders are searched ``` #### Priority 4: Portfolio Search ``` src/portfolio/PortfolioSearch.ts (or similar) - Check how file extensions are displayed - Verify index query logic ``` ### Test Files Available **Working test files** (formatted with Issue #1211 fix): ``` ~/.dollhouse/portfolio/memories/2025-09-28/sonarcloud-rules-reference.yaml ~/.dollhouse/portfolio/memories/2025-09-27/sonarcloud-api-reference.yaml ``` Both files: - ✅ Valid YAML structure - ✅ Proper `name:` fields (from filenames) - ✅ Format successfully without errors - ✅ Contain legitimate content (no security triggers) - ❌ Cannot be activated by name - ❌ Show wrong extension in search ### Debugging Commands for Next Session ```bash # 1. Verify file locations find ~/.dollhouse/portfolio/memories -name "*sonarcloud*" -type f # 2. Check name fields grep "^name:" ~/.dollhouse/portfolio/memories/2025-09-*/sonarcloud*.yaml # 3. Search portfolio mcp__dollhousemcp-production__search_portfolio --query "sonarcloud-rules" --type memories # 4. Try activation with internal names mcp__dollhousemcp-production__activate_element --name "sonarcloud-rules-reference" --type memories # 5. List all memories mcp__dollhousemcp-production__list_elements --type memories | grep sonarcloud # 6. Check portfolio status mcp__dollhousemcp-production__portfolio_status ``` ### Key Context Points 1. **Memory format is YAML** (per CLAUDE.md - this is the preferred format) 2. **Date folders are intentional design** (prevents flat directory performance issues) 3. **ElementFormatter works correctly** (just merged PR #1212) 4. **Files ARE loading** (111 memories reloaded) 5. **Search index is wrong** (shows .md instead of .yaml) 6. **Activation lookup fails** (cannot find by name) ### Expected Fix Scope **Time Estimate**: 30-60 minutes (per Issue #1213) **Likely Changes**: 1. Fix extension handling in memory loading/indexing 2. Verify date folder scanning includes proper file info 3. Update activation lookup to check date folders 4. Possibly fix search display logic **Test Plan**: 1. Reload memories 2. Search for sonarcloud-rules-reference 3. Verify extension shows as `.yaml` 4. Activate by name 5. Verify activation succeeds 6. Check that content is accessible --- ## 📋 Issues Created ### Issue #1211 ✅ CLOSED **Title**: fix(formatter): ElementFormatter hits security scanner false positives - needs validateContent: false **Status**: CLOSED (fixed by PR #1212) **Resolution**: Three fixes implemented, comprehensive tests added, merged to develop ### Issue #1213 🆕 OPEN **Title**: bug(memory): Portfolio search reports .md extension for .yaml files in date folders **Status**: OPEN **Priority**: MEDIUM **Assignee**: @me **Labels**: bug, priority: medium **Created**: During Issue #1211 testing **Next Session**: Primary focus ### Issue #1214 🆕 OPEN **Title**: enhancement(formatter): Add configuration option for default validation behavior **Status**: OPEN **Priority**: LOW **Assignee**: @me **Labels**: enhancement, priority: low **Created**: From PR #1212 review feedback **Scope**: Future enhancement, not blocking --- ## 🎓 Key Learnings ### Technical Insights 1. **Always test the fix**: Discovered SecureYamlParser bug by actually testing, not just reading code 2. **Root cause may be deeper**: Initial hypothesis was ElementFormatter; actual bug was SecureYamlParser 3. **Comprehensive testing finds bugs**: Testing Issue #1211 fix revealed Issue #1213 4. **Method signature verification is critical**: Grep for all callers, not just assumptions ### Process Insights 1. **GitFlow Guardian works well**: Caught branch naming, gave helpful warnings 2. **PR review feedback is valuable**: All three points were correct and actionable 3. **Audio summaries helpful**: Clear progress indicators at each step 4. **Issue discovery during testing is normal**: Found #1213 while testing #1211 ### Review Process Insights 1. **Automated reviews are thorough**: Three separate reviews with specific feedback 2. **5-star ratings come from quality**: Comprehensive tests elevated PR from 4 to 5 stars 3. **CI must be green**: All 14 checks passing gave merge confidence 4. **Security scans are critical**: Zero issues found across multiple scanners --- ## 📊 Session Statistics ### Time Efficiency - **Issue fix**: 15 minutes (matched estimate) - **Review response**: 30 minutes (tests + verification + issue creation) - **Total**: 45 minutes - **Issues resolved**: 1 (plus 2 created for follow-up) ### Code Quality - **Files changed**: 3 - **Lines added**: 195 - **Lines removed**: 13 - **Test coverage**: +173 lines - **CI checks**: 14/14 passing - **Security issues**: 0/0 (zero found) ### Deliverables Quality - **PR reviews**: 3 automated reviews, all positive - **Test coverage**: 5 comprehensive test cases - **Documentation**: Complete commit messages, issue updates, PR description - **Issue tracking**: 1 closed, 2 created with full context --- ## 🔄 Next Session Priorities ### Priority 1: Fix Issue #1213 (MAIN FOCUS) **Objective**: Memory files in date folders should be searchable and activatable **Starting Points**: 1. Read `src/managers/MemoryManager.ts` - date folder scanning 2. Read `src/portfolio/PortfolioManager.ts` - index creation 3. Search for `.md` hardcoding in memory loading code 4. Check how file extensions are stored in portfolio index **Expected Outcome**: - ✅ Portfolio search shows correct `.yaml` extension - ✅ Memories can be activated by name - ✅ Date folder files load and index correctly ### Priority 2: Clean Up Working Directory **Files to handle**: - `claude.md` (modified) - `SESSION_NOTES_2025-09-29-LATE-EVENING.md` (untracked) - `SESSION_NOTES_2025-09-29_evening_sonarcloud_mcp_setup.md` (untracked) - `scripts/sonar-check.sh` (untracked) **Decision needed**: Commit, stash, or discard? ### Priority 3: Consider v1.9.15 Release **Changes in develop**: - ✅ PR #1212 merged (Issue #1211 fix) - Potentially: Issue #1213 fix **Decision**: After Issue #1213 is fixed, consider release? --- ## 🎯 Success Metrics ### Issue #1211 - ✅ Fixed in 15 minutes (matched estimate) - ✅ Zero security regressions - ✅ Comprehensive test coverage - ✅ All CI checks passing - ✅ Three 5-star reviews - ✅ Merged to develop same day ### PR #1212 - ✅ All review feedback addressed - ✅ Method signature verified safe - ✅ 5 new tests added and passing - ✅ Configuration enhancement tracked separately - ✅ Security scans: 0 issues found - ✅ Quality Gate: PASSED ### Overall Session - ✅ Primary objective achieved (Issue #1211 fixed and merged) - ✅ Secondary issues properly documented (#1213, #1214) - ✅ Next session has clear starting point - ✅ No regressions introduced - ✅ Code quality maintained (>96% coverage) --- ## 📁 Files Modified This Session ### Source Code (Merged to develop) ``` src/security/secureYamlParser.ts (+3, -1) src/utils/ElementFormatter.ts (+20, -12) test/unit/ElementFormatter.test.ts (+173, -0) ``` ### Documentation (Not yet committed) ``` docs/development/SESSION_NOTES_2025-09-30-MORNING-ISSUE-1211.md (this file) ``` ### Session Notes from Yesterday (Not yet committed) ``` docs/development/SESSION_NOTES_2025-09-29-LATE-EVENING.md docs/development/SESSION_NOTES_2025-09-29_evening_sonarcloud_mcp_setup.md ``` ### Scripts (Not yet committed) ``` scripts/sonar-check.sh ``` --- ## 🔗 Important Links **Issue #1211**: https://github.com/DollhouseMCP/mcp-server/issues/1211 **PR #1212**: https://github.com/DollhouseMCP/mcp-server/pull/1212 **Issue #1213**: https://github.com/DollhouseMCP/mcp-server/issues/1213 **Issue #1214**: https://github.com/DollhouseMCP/mcp-server/issues/1214 **Merged Commit**: `e723748` (HEAD of develop) --- **Session End**: 11:00 AM **Status**: ✅ SUCCESSFUL - Issue fixed, PR merged, next session prepared **Next Session Focus**: Issue #1213 - Memory portfolio search bug