Free npm audit Alternative for Vibe-Coded Projects

# Free npm audit Alternative for Vibe-Coded Projects

Quick answer

If you're building apps with AI coding tools like Cursor or Bolt.new, npm audit often misses critical vulnerabilities like leaked API keys or misconfigurations. A better free npm audit alternative is combining npm audit with a dedicated security scanner like OverMCP's free AI app security scanner — it catches secrets, missing headers, and dependency issues specific to vibe-coded apps. You can run it in minutes without any setup.

What to check first

Before you deploy any vibe-coded app, run through this quick checklist. It covers the most common issues that npm audit won't catch.

Why npm audit falls short for vibe-coded apps

npm audit is great for known CVEs, but vibe-coded projects have unique risks:

A free npm audit alternative should cover all these bases. OverMCP's scanner does exactly that — it combines dependency checks with secret scanning and header validation in one run.

Step-by-step fix: How to audit your vibe-coded project for free

Here's a practical workflow you can use right now. No sign-ups required for the basic checks.

Step 1: Run npm audit and fix critical issues

npm audit --audit-level=high

Review the output. For each high or critical vulnerability, run:

npm audit fix

If that fails, manually update the package. Example:

npm install next@latest

Step 2: Scan for hardcoded secrets

Use a free secret leak scanner. OverMCP's tool scans your entire codebase for patterns like:

Example: If you find a leaked Stripe key, immediately revoke it from the Stripe dashboard and replace it with an environment variable.

Step 3: Add security headers

For a Next.js app, add these headers in next.config.js:

// next.config.js
const securityHeaders = [
  { key: 'X-Frame-Options', value: 'DENY' },
  { key: 'X-Content-Type-Options', value: 'nosniff' },
  { key: 'Referrer-Policy', value: 'strict-origin-when-cross-origin' },
  { key: 'Content-Security-Policy', value: "default-src 'self'; script-src 'self' 'unsafe-inline'; style-src 'self' 'unsafe-inline';" },
  { key: 'Strict-Transport-Security', value: 'max-age=63072000; includeSubDomains; preload' },
];

module.exports = {
  async headers() {
    return [
      {
        source: '/(.*)',
        headers: securityHeaders,
      },
    ];
  },
};

Step 4: Use a comprehensive free scanner

Instead of running multiple tools, use OverMCP's free AI app security scanner. It checks:

Just enter your app's URL or connect your Vercel project via the Vercel security scanner.

Common mistakes

1. Assuming npm audit is enough

Many developers run npm audit once and call it done. But they miss secrets in client-side code. For example, an AI-generated Firebase config might include the API key directly in a .js file. npm audit won't flag it, but a secret scanner will.

2. Ignoring environment variables

AI tools often generate code that reads secrets from .env files. If you commit that file, you're exposed. Always use platform-specific secret storage (e.g., Vercel Environment Variables, GitHub Secrets).

3. Not checking third-party service keys

Your app might use Supabase, Stripe, or OpenAI. If you expose the service role key or secret key, an attacker can take over your database or incur charges. A free npm audit alternative that scans for these patterns can save you.

4. Skipping security headers

Vibe-coded apps often miss headers like CSP and HSTS. Without them, your app is vulnerable to XSS and downgrade attacks. Always add them to your framework's config.

How to stay safe long-term

Security isn't a one-time check. As you iterate, new vulnerabilities emerge and new secrets may leak. Set up continuous security monitoring to automatically scan your app on every deploy. OverMCP integrates with Vercel and GitHub, so you never push a vulnerable build.

FAQ

Is npm audit free?

Yes, npm audit is free and built into npm. It checks your project's dependencies against a database of known vulnerabilities. However, it has limitations: it doesn't scan for secrets, misconfigurations, or missing headers. For a complete free npm audit alternative, combine it with a dedicated scanner like OverMCP.

Can I use OverMCP for free?

Yes, OverMCP offers a free tier that includes dependency scanning, secret leak detection, and security header checks. You can scan your app without signing up. The free plan covers most indie projects.

What if I find a leaked secret?

Immediately revoke the secret from the service provider (e.g., Stripe, AWS, GitHub). Then remove it from your codebase and use environment variables instead. Finally, rotate any related keys or tokens. OverMCP's scanner can help you find all occurrences quickly.