dsh-vault — Encrypted Credential Vault for DeepSeek Harness

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dsh-vault is a security-focused plugin for DeepSeek Harness that stores sensitive credentials — usernames, emails, phone numbers, passwords, TOTP secrets, and developer credentials like SSH connections, API keys, secrets, and OAuth access/refresh tokens — encrypted at rest, and exposes them to the model through CRUD, search, password generation, and TOTP tools, plus a Settings UI page.

Security & Implementation

• Zero external crypto dependencies: everything is built on Node's built-in node:crypto (AES-256-GCM authenticated encryption, scrypt key derivation, RFC 6238 TOTP).
• Master password: every entry is encrypted with a 256-bit key derived via scrypt(master password, salt) and AES-256-GCM. The key never touches disk; after unlock it is cached in-process and re-derived on restart.
• Tamper-evident: GCM auth tags plus a fixed-plaintext verification envelope — a wrong master password or modified ciphertext fails immediately, never returning garbage.
• No plaintext at rest: the on-disk document contains no plaintext credentials; each entry uses an independent random nonce.
• Atomic writes: reuses the harness writeFileAtomic + file lock; in-process writes are serialized, cross-process writers take the lock.
• Search never leaks: vault_search returns summaries only (id/title/kind/username/email/phone/host/port/url/tags) — never passwords, keys, tokens, or TOTP secrets. Full credentials are readable only via explicit vault_get by id.

Entry Model

Each record has a title, an optional kind, and any combination of fields:

Field	Description
kind	login (default) / ssh / api-key / secret / oauth / custom
username / email / phone	Account identity
password	The password
host / port	SSH host and port (e.g. db.internal / 2222)
privateKey	SSH private key (PEM)
apiKey	API key
secret	Generic secret (client secret, shared secret, …)
accessToken / refreshToken / expiresAt	OAuth token pair and expiry (epoch millis)
otpSecret	TOTP secret (bare Base32 or otpauth:// URI)
url / notes / tags	Metadata
fields	Arbitrary key/value pairs (e.g. {"region": "us-east-1"}), searchable

Tools

Tool	Purpose
vault_add	Add an entry (any combination of fields; empty strings/arrays are ignored)
vault_get	Read a full entry by id (including all secrets)
vault_search	Search titles/categories/usernames/emails/phones/hosts/ports/URLs/notes/tags/custom fields (incl. numeric/boolean/nested values; whitespace-separated terms OR-match); optional createdAfter/createdBefore epoch-millis filters; returns secret-free summaries; limit must be an integer 1–100
vault_update	Update fields by id (unprovided fields kept; empty string clears a field; title is renamable; rotationDays: 0 clears rotation = never rotate)
vault_compare	Compare two entries field by field (onlyA/onlyB/differ/equal) — field names only, never secret values
vault_rename	Rename an entry in one call (shortcut for vault_update)
vault_delete	Soft-delete an entry (moves it to the trash, still encrypted on disk)
vault_restore / vault_purge / vault_restore_recent	Bring a trashed entry back / purge it / undo the last delete
vault_lock / vault_unlock	Explicitly lock the vault (wipe the in-memory key) / re-unlock it
vault_totp	Generate the current 6-digit code for a stored otpSecret (or a bare Base32 / otpauth URI)
vault_generate_password	Generate a strong random password (length/classes/grouping) or a memorable passphrase (passphrase: true, EFF-style word list, words/separator/wordDigits)
vault_strength	Zero-dependency password strength estimate (score 0–100, weak/fair/strong/very strong)
vault_password_history	List an entry's previous passwords (1Password/Bitwarden-style, newest first, capped at 10; current password excluded)
kind: card	Bank/credit-card entries: cardNumber/cardExpiry (MM/YY)/cardCvv/cardHolder; search summaries expose expiry + holder only (never the number or CVV); Bitwarden JSON export maps to a card item (type 3, brand inferred)
vault_password_rollback	Restore an entry password to a stored history entry (current password is archived first, so it is reversible)
vault_recovery_code / vault_verify_recovery / vault_recovery_status	One-time vault recovery code (1Password/Bitwarden-style): 32-char code shown once, only its SHA-256 hash is stored; verify possession of the code; check whether one is set
vault_rekey	Upgrade the vault to fresh scrypt KDF parameters in place
vault_backup	Timestamped encrypted backup with retention; optional note
vault_import_csv	Bulk-import credentials from a CSV file (custom columns become fields; overwrite: true merges fields into existing entries instead of duplicating)
vault_bulk_delete	Soft-delete entries matching a query/kind/tag or explicit ids; confirm: true required (dry-run by default); trashed entries are restorable
vault_apply_tags	Bulk add/remove/replace tags on every entry matching a query (dry-run supported, no secrets)
vault_totp_uri	Build an otpauth:// provisioning URI for a stored or bare TOTP secret
vault_switch / vault_list	Switch the active vault by name / list available vaults
vault_rotation	Report expired / due-for-rotation / expiring-soon credentials; soonWindowDays (1-90, default 7) tunes the soon horizon (no secrets)
vault_health	Vault health scan: weak/reused passwords, missing 2FA, insecure http:// sites, and an overall security score (0–100)
vault_watchtower	Watchtower-style per-entry risk analysis (1Password/Bitwarden-inspired): flags short/weak passwords, keyboard sequences, embedded years, common passwords, reuse, http:// sites, missing 2FA, expiry — with a 0–100 score and good/warn/poor verdict (no secrets); entry rows show ⚠ badges
vault_breach_check	Watchtower-style breach scan against Have I Been Pwned (k-anonymity: only the SHA-1 prefix leaves the machine), with an offline common-password fallback
vault_integrity	Verify the on-disk vault file decrypts correctly and matches the in-memory store
vault_merge	Merge one entry into another; keepSource: true keeps the source after merging
vault_attach / vault_attachments / vault_attachment / vault_detach	Attach files to entries (private keys, certs, configs, recovery codes) — stored base64 inside the encrypted entry, encrypted at rest; list names/sizes, read content, remove
vault_quick_add	Fast capture (title + one secret) with optional tags/notes
vault_expiry	Set/clear expiry (expiresAt: 0 removes it)
vault_stats	Overview counts incl. trashCount (no secrets)
vault_verify	Verify one entry or audit every entry (all: true) for per-kind completeness, port/expiry sanity (no secrets)
vault_duplicates	Find duplicate groups: mode = both (default) / title / content (no secrets)
vault_report	Printable inventory with expiry/rotation columns and a stats footer (no secrets)
vault_export / vault_import	Portable encrypted backup/migration of the whole vault (separate export password)
vault_backup / vault_backup_now	Timestamped encrypted backup named <vault>-backups-YYYY-MM-DD_HH-MM-SS-<hex>.json (owning vault + date visible); retention pruning keeps the newest N
vault_restore_backup	Restore from a backup: mode: "merge" (default) copies the backup entries INTO the current vault so they appear in the entries list; mode: "replace" overwrites the whole vault with a safety snapshot first
vault_vault_rename / vault_vault_delete	Rename a named vault (file moves, active session follows) or permanently delete one (default vault protected)
vault_match_url	Find login entries matching a URL (Bitwarden/1Password-style: exact host, subdomain, parent domain, path-prefix; www./port normalization) with a 0–100 score — never returns the password
vault_fill	Find the entry matching a host/URL/username/title and return its credentials
vault_env	Render env-flagged entries (tags contain env) as KEY=VALUE lines
vault_export_bitwarden / vault_import_bitwarden	Bitwarden/Vaultwarden JSON interop (full field mapping, overwrite support)
vault_import_bitwarden_encrypted	Decrypt a Bitwarden password-protected JSON export (PBKDF2/Argon2id + HKDF → AES-256-CBC + HMAC) and import it; pass the export passphrase
vault_import_manager_csv	Password-manager CSV auto-detected by header: Bitwarden (login_uri/login_username/…), 1Password 8, Dashlane, NordPass, Keeper, LastPass (fav/grouping/extra); dryRun preview
vault_import_kdbx	KeePass KDBX: 3.1 and 4.x, AES-KDF or Argon2 (RFC 9106), AES-256-CBC or ChaCha20 payload, keyfile support
vault_export_1password	Export entries as a 1Password 1PUX archive (ZIP + export.data) for import into 1Password or re-import here; item categories map to login / credit card / API credential / server
vault_import_1password / vault_import_1pif	1Password 1PUX (ZIP) and legacy 1PIF text exports
vault_import_enpass	Enpass JSON export (folders → tags, typed fields, TOTP)
vault_import_keepass_xml	KeePass 2.x XML export (plaintext or ******** masked values)
vault_import_chrome / vault_import_keychain	Import passwords from Chrome's Login Data (macOS keychain / Linux keyring or peanuts / Windows DPAPI) or the macOS Keychain (internet passwords inet by default — the ones that actually back website logins — or generic genp via classes; session cache + preview, no prompt spam); every file import supports dryRun preview
vault_import_firefox	Firefox profile import (logins.json + key4.db, NSS 3DES / PBES2-AES, primary-password aware)
vault_search_system	Search Chrome / Keychain for sites & usernames — never exposes passwords
vault_session_open	Open a real headed browser window at a URL so the user can log in manually (password, 2FA, captcha) — the portable way to capture login state for sites that block embedding
vault_session_collect	Collect every cookie of an open browser session (incl. HttpOnly) and save it as a cookie entry
vault_session_import	Save session cookies from pasted JSON (devtools export shape) or a raw Cookie header string — the no-browser alternative
vault_session_import_file	Import a Netscape cookie-jar file (curl -b / wget / browser-extension export; the same format vault_session_export writes)
vault_session_list	List saved login sessions with cookie counts, expired and expiring-in-7d counts (no values)
vault_session_export	Export a saved session as a Cookie header value, a Netscape cookie-jar file (curl -b), raw JSON (Playwright addCookies shape), or a ready-to-run Playwright snippet
vault_session_close	Close an open browser login session (collected cookies stay in the vault)
vault_session_prune	Remove expired cookies from a saved session (session cookies are kept); preview: true reports without writing
vault_copy	Copy an entry (secrets included) into another named vault
vault_templates	Built-in + user-defined templates (save/list/remove), KeePassXC-style; built-ins now include Wi-Fi, Server, Database, Identity, Bank account, Card (1Password-inspired)

Typical workflows: store an SSH credential (kind: ssh + host/port/username/password or privateKey) and have the model vault_search for the host then vault_get the connection details; keep api-key/oauth entries for API-gateway access/refresh token rotation.

Installation

dsh-vault is a bundle (a package declaring dsh.bundle): once installed into a profile, its cordis.patch.yml automatically inserts the vault plugin row (referenced by package name dsh-vault; the master password is injected via the DSH_VAULT_PASSWORD environment variable). The package ships a self-contained build script — git installs compile lib/ automatically.

All four install paths below are verified end-to-end (install → bundle layer recognized → plugin activates with all 7 vault_* tools registered → real vault_add/vault_get round trip → uninstall removes the layer):

Path	Command	Build needed	allowBuilds
npm	add dsh-vault	no (prebuilt lib/)	no
GitHub	add github:Ox0400/dsh-vault#v0.1.1	yes (prepare)	yes (first run)
local path	add /abs/path/to/dsh-vault	no (link to built source)	no
tarball	add ./dsh-vault-0.1.1.tgz	no (prebuilt lib/)	no

Option 1: Install from npm (easiest)

dsh plugin --profile web add dsh-vault

npm packages ship prebuilt lib/ artifacts — no allowBuilds, no local compilation, install and go. Set the master password before launching:

export DSH_VAULT_PASSWORD='your strong master password'

Option 2: Install from GitHub (pin a tag or commit)

dsh plugin --profile web add github:Ox0400/dsh-vault#v0.1.1

A git install fetches sources, not built artifacts, so the prepare script builds lib/ at install time. pnpm ≥10 blocks git dependencies from running build scripts by default. The verified flow:

1. Run the add command — it fails with an allowBuilds error and prints the exact key to allow (the line containing the repo URL, including the resolved commit hash):

   allowBuilds:
     dsh-vault@https://codeload.github.com/Ox0400/dsh-vault/tar.gz/<sha>: true
   

2. Append that exact key to the profile's pnpm-workspace.yaml ($DSH_HOME/profiles/<name>/pnpm-workspace.yaml):

   packages:
     - .
   allowBuilds:
     dsh-vault@https://codeload.github.com/Ox0400/dsh-vault/tar.gz/<sha>: true
   

3. Re-run the add — pnpm now runs the prepare script, builds lib/, and installs.

Pin a tag/commit so a later upstream push cannot silently change what runs on install. Treat the allowance for what it is: permission to execute that package's code on your machine at install time — only grant it to sources you trust.

Option 3: Install from a local path

dsh plugin --profile web add /absolute/path/to/dsh-vault

pnpm links the checkout into the profile; the bundle is recognized as long as lib/ exists (run pnpm build in the checkout first if needed).

Option 4: Install from a tarball

npm pack && dsh plugin --profile web add ./dsh-vault-0.1.1.tgz

The tarball ships prebuilt lib/ artifacts, so no build step or allowBuilds is required.

dsh plugin --profile web remove dsh-vault uninstalls (removes both the dependency and the layer).

Tool profiles

The plugin ships 110+ model tools, but registers only 11 core tools by default (vault_list/search/get/add/update/delete/fill/clipboard/totp/generate_password/strength) to keep the model's tool catalog small and cheap.

Switch profiles in Settings → Credentials → Permissions → Model tools — it applies instantly (no restart) and is persisted per vault:

Profile	Registers
Basic (default)	core only — everyday use
Standard	+ management: favourites, tags, icons, expiry/rotation, health, duplicates/merge, attachments, templates, env masks
Full	everything, incl. bulk import/export, browser sessions, backups and vault-file operations
Custom…	core + any of: Management / Import-export / Browser sessions / Backups & files

tools: basic|standard|full|custom can also be set in the plugin config; the UI choice wins and is stored in <vault dir>/access.json.

Configuration

[!WARNING] Security: never put the master password in plaintext
A profile patch (cordis.patch.yml / cordis.yml) is a config file that is
easy to commit to git, screenshot, or capture in logs — so a plaintext
masterPassword: row leaks the key to your whole encrypted vault. Always use
masterPasswordEnv and export the real password into the process/shell
environment instead (e.g. export DSH_VAULT_PASSWORD='…'). See the
community-plugin-audit handbook
for the evidence-first checklist for credential-handling plugins.

# ✗ DON'T — plaintext master password in a config file
- id: vault
  name: dsh-vault
  config:
    masterPassword: 'my-secret'

# ✓ DO — reference an environment variable; keep the file itself 0600
- id: vault
  name: dsh-vault
  config:
    masterPasswordEnv: DSH_VAULT_PASSWORD

Option	Description
masterPassword	The master password inline (appears in cordis.yml; not recommended)
masterPasswordEnv	Environment variable name holding the master password (recommended)
path	Vault file path; defaults to $DSH_HOME/vault/default.json
name	Vault name for the default path (e.g. name: work → $DSH_HOME/vault/work.json)
accessMode	Access policy for the model tools. Three states: readonly (mutations rejected on tools + UI), ask (default — reads free, every add/update/delete goes through the harness approval channel so the user confirms each write), or auto (automatic read-write, no per-call prompt). The Settings UI offers this exact three-way choice and persists it to <vault dir>/access.json.
autoCapture	false (default). When true, the system prompt instructs the model to detect credentials shared in conversation and — per user preference — offer to save them with vault_add.
lockTimeoutSeconds	Auto-lock: after this many seconds of inactivity the vault re-locks (key wiped) and every read/write requires vault_unlock. 0/absent disables.
exportPasswordEnv	Environment variable holding the export/import password for vault_export/vault_import (never pass it as a model argument).
backupRetention	How many encrypted backups to keep (default 10); vault_backup prunes older copies.

Example:

- id: vault
  name: dsh-vault
  config:
    masterPasswordEnv: DSH_VAULT_PASSWORD
    accessMode: ask
    autoCapture: true

With autoCapture: true, when you share a credential in chat (e.g. "my npm token is npm_…"), the assistant offers to store it; on your consent it calls vault_add immediately. With autoCapture off, credentials are only saved when you explicitly ask. The Settings UI shows the current mode (read-only / ask-before-write / automatic read-write) with a dropdown to switch it, an auto-capture toggle (detect credentials shared in chat → offer to save), a kind filter, a health & rotation summary, a trash view, and masked secret fields with a Show/Hide toggle.

The vault is created automatically on first tool use; every launch re-unlocks with the master password. Forgetting the master password = permanent data loss (no backdoor — by design).

Development

Clone and develop locally:

git clone git@github.com:Ox0400/dsh-vault.git
cd dsh-vault
pnpm install    # installs devDependencies (typescript/tsdown/vitest, …)
pnpm build      # builds host lib/*.js and the browser bundle lib/client.js
pnpm test       # runs the 41 vitest tests

Tests need harness peer packages such as dsh-llm/dsh-system-prompt; inside the harness monorepo these resolve via workspace links.

Common commands:

pnpm test          # unit + integration tests (vitest, 41)
pnpm typecheck     # tsc -p tsconfig.json --noEmit
pnpm build         # = build:host (tsc) + build:client (tsdown)
npm pack           # optional: tarball for `dsh plugin add ./dsh-vault-0.1.1.tgz`

All 41 tests pass (crypto / TOTP / password generation / store CRUD / gateway / integration).

Packaging & Publishing

This package is a standard npm bundle:

• dsh.bundle.patch → cordis.patch.yml (the layer applied automatically when a profile lists this bundle)
• dsh.client → browser-side declaration (exports["./client"] points at lib/client.js)
• prepare script → self-contained build on git install (tsc host + tsdown client)
• Runtime dependencies are all peerDependencies (provided by the host harness — no duplicate instances)

Distribution options:

npm pack                  # tarball → dsh plugin add ./dsh-vault-0.1.1.tgz
npm publish --access public   # registry → dsh plugin add dsh-vault

Security Boundaries & Known Limitations

• Vault strength is bounded by master-password strength; use ≥ 16 characters of high entropy.
• scrypt cost parameters (N=32768, r=8, p=1) are persisted in the document and can be raised in future versions; old documents remain decryptable.
• Plaintext credentials exist only in process memory and during explicit vault_get reads; vault_search/vault_update outputs never contain passwords, keys, or tokens. Secrets returned by vault_get enter that tool call's result (model context) — callers should avoid repeating them in conversation.
• This plugin targets single-machine / personal deployments; team-shared vaults are out of scope.

Listed in

• awesome-dsh-plugin — official curated directory (Security & Safety section)
• awesome-deepseek-harness (Dominic789654) — community directory (Security section)

Submissions pending maintainer review: Anil-matcha/awesome-dsh-plugin #127 · 0xsline/awesome-deepseek-harness #563 · dsh-handbook #65