Add explicit permissions to GitHub Actions workflows

[Copilot]

Two workflow files lacked explicit permissions: blocks, relying on default permissions instead of following least privilege principle.

Changes

Added permissions: contents: read to:

• .github/workflows/nodejs.yml - CI workflow that checks out code, builds, and tests
• .github/workflows/publish.yml - Release workflow that publishes to npm

Both workflows only need read access since they:

• Check out code via actions/checkout@v4
• Run local operations (npm install/build/test)
• Publish to npm using secrets.npm_token (external to GitHub)

Example

name: Node CI

on: push

permissions:
  contents: read

jobs:
  build:
    runs-on: ubuntu-22.04
    # ...

Original prompt

---

This section details on the original issue you should resolve

<issue_title>Please define actions workflow permissions</issue_title>
<issue_description>## Workflow permissions improvement

There are 2 workflow files that are currently lacking explicit permissions

Affected Workflow Files

The following workflow files need permissions to be explicitly defined:

• .github/workflows/nodejs.yml
• .github/workflows/publish.yml

Request

Ensure permissions are explicitly defined. Below are Copilot prompts/instructions if you would like Copilot's assistance with addressing this.

GitHub Copilot Assignment Prompts and Context

Task: Add explicit permissions to GitHub Actions workflow files that are currently missing them.

Scope: Update the workflow files listed above to include appropriate permissions: blocks.

Analysis Methodology:

1. Gather Current State: Check if the workflow has any existing permissions defined
2. Inventory Workflow Actions:
   • Actions performed directly by the workflow
   • API calls made by the workflow
   • External actions included via uses: statements
3. Determine Required Permissions: Map each action to its minimum required permissions
4. Synthesize Minimal Permissions: Create permissions block with only necessary permissions

Requirements:

1. Add a permissions: block to each workflow file that doesn't have one
2. Start with contents: read as the minimum permission
3. Add additional permissions only if the workflow actually needs them based on the actions it performs
4. Place the permissions: block at the job level or workflow level as appropriate
5. Ensure the syntax is correct and follows YAML formatting
6. Maintain existing content formatting, including indentation and comments

Files to modify: See the list of affected workflow files above.

Acceptance criteria:

• All listed workflow files have explicit permissions defined
• Permissions follow the principle of least privilege
• YAML syntax is valid
• Workflows still function correctly after changes

Copilot Instructions:

Please create a pull request that adds appropriate permissions: blocks to each of the workflow files listed above. Analyze each workflow to determine the minimum permissions required based on the actions it performs, and add only those necessary permissions.
</issue_description>

Comments on the Issue (you are @copilot in this section)

• Fixes Please define actions workflow permissions #83

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[Copilot]

Pull Request Overview

This PR adds explicit permissions blocks to two GitHub Actions workflows that previously relied on default permissions, implementing the principle of least privilege for improved security.

• Added permissions: contents: read to both workflow files at the workflow level
• Ensures workflows only have read access to repository contents, which is all they require
• Improves security posture by explicitly defining minimal required permissions

Reviewed Changes

Copilot reviewed 2 out of 2 changed files in this pull request and generated no comments.

File	Description
.github/workflows/nodejs.yml	Added permissions: contents: read to CI workflow that checks out code, builds, and runs tests
.github/workflows/publish.yml	Added permissions: contents: read to release workflow that publishes packages to npm using external token

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