# Mk Freeze

> Session-scoped edit restriction: blocks Edit/Write outside an allowed path, to scope changes to one module or prevent unrelated fixes. NOT for blocking destructive shell commands (mk:careful).

- Skill: `ngocsangyem/mk-freeze-2` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 3 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add ngocsangyem/mk-freeze-2`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/ngocsangyem/mk-freeze-2/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: ngocsangyem (https://skillmd.com/u/ngocsangyem)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/ngocsangyem/mk-freeze-2

---


# /freeze — Restrict Edits to a Directory

Lock file edits to a specific directory. Any Edit or Write operation targeting
a file outside the allowed path will be **blocked** (not just warned).

```bash
mkdir -p .meowkit/telemetry
echo '{"skill":"freeze","ts":"'$(date -u +%Y-%m-%dT%H:%M:%SZ)'","repo":"'$(basename "$(git rev-parse --show-toplevel 2>/dev/null)" 2>/dev/null || echo "unknown")'"}'  >> .meowkit/telemetry/skill-usage.jsonl 2>/dev/null || true
```

## Setup

Ask the user which directory to restrict edits to. Use stop and ask the user in chat:

- Question: "Which directory should I restrict edits to? Files outside this path will be blocked from editing."
- Text input (not multiple choice) — the user types a path.

Once the user provides a directory path:

1. Resolve it to an absolute path:

```bash
FREEZE_DIR=$(cd "<user-provided-path>" 2>/dev/null && pwd)
echo "$FREEZE_DIR"
```

2. Ensure trailing slash and save to the freeze state file:

```bash
FREEZE_DIR="${FREEZE_DIR%/}/"
STATE_DIR="${PLUGIN_DATA:-.meowkit/memory}"
mkdir -p "$STATE_DIR"
echo "$FREEZE_DIR" > "$STATE_DIR/freeze-dir.txt"
echo "Freeze boundary set: $FREEZE_DIR"
```

Tell the user: "Edits are now restricted to `<path>/`. Any Edit or Write
outside this directory will be blocked. To change the boundary, run `the freeze skill`
again. Freeze persists for the session — end the session or start a new one to clear it."

## How it works

See [references/freeze-mechanics.md](references/freeze-mechanics.md) for technical details on path resolution, symlink handling, state file persistence, and tool scope.

## Hooks

- **PreToolUse on Edit/Write**: Blocks writes outside the frozen directory path
- Activated by `the freeze skill <path>`. Deactivated when session ends.
- Bash commands are NOT restricted — freeze only guards Edit and Write tools

## Gotchas

- **Symlinked files bypass freeze check**: Edit tool resolves symlinks, writing outside frozen directory → Check resolved path, not just the stated path
- **Test files in frozen directory can't update fixtures**: Freeze prevents fixture updates needed for new test cases → Use --exclude pattern for test fixtures within frozen scope