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Semgrep detects and helps remediate code-security problems. FalseGreen decides whether the complete bounded Job satisfied its frozen definition of done.
Quick answer
Semgrep is a code-security platform spanning static application security testing, supply-chain analysis, secrets detection, custom rules, and AI-assisted triage. FalseGreen is not a Semgrep replacement. Semgrep is strongest when the question is whether supported security patterns or vulnerabilities are present; FalseGreen addresses whether the overall requested Job was independently established.
Alternative or additional layer?
No—not if you need a dedicated code-security platform, custom security rules, or AppSec remediation workflows. Semgrep should remain the specialist. FalseGreen can incorporate relevant Semgrep findings when deciding whether a broader bounded Job satisfied its frozen requirements.
What Semgrep is good at
Where the overlap is
Both can evaluate code changes, produce actionable evidence, and block unsafe trust. Semgrep concentrates on code-security analysis and findings; FalseGreen can incorporate relevant scanner output into a wider acceptance decision.
The architectural difference
Semgrep evaluates code against security rules, dataflow analysis, policies, and supported workflows. FalseGreen freezes the human-defined Job before implementation is judged, then decides whether security evidence plus the rest of the engineering evidence establishes that exact bounded outcome.
Side by side
✓ means central and explicit. ◐ means partial or adjacent. — means not the product’s primary function.
| Capability | FalseGreen | Semgrep |
|---|---|---|
| Primary purposeThe main problem the product is designed to solve. | Independent bounded acceptance | Code security and static analysis |
| Dedicated security or static analysisSpecialized analysis for code quality, vulnerabilities, or security findings. | — Not primary | ✓ Yes |
| Frozen human-defined definition of doneThe bounded acceptance target is established before implementation is judged. | ✓ Yes | ◐ Partial |
| Frozen Job target preserved through repairThe agreed Job target remains authoritative while the implementation is repaired and reverified. | ✓ Yes | ◐ Partial |
| Separate Job acceptance authorityA distinct authority decides whether the separately bounded Job is accepted. | ✓ Yes | — Not primary |
| Job or outcome-level acceptanceAnswers whether the requested bounded engineering outcome is complete. | ✓ Yes | — Not primary |
| Heterogeneous evidence for acceptanceTests, CI, scanners, formal tools, behavior, and inspection can inform one Job decision. | ✓ Yes | ◐ Partial |
| Explicit bounded resultReturns Accepted, Failed, or Insufficient Evidence for the bounded Job. | ✓ Yes | ◐ Partial |
| Durable evidence and limitationsPreserves what was checked, the relevant source, supporting evidence, and limitations. | ✓ Yes | ◐ Partial |
FalseGreen exact-source enforcement is marked partial because PR Gate remains coming soon. “Not primary” describes product scope, not an unsupported universal absence claim.
When to choose Semgrep
Choose Semgrep when your main need is dedicated code-security analysis, custom security rules, secrets or supply-chain findings, and AppSec remediation workflows.
When to use FalseGreen
Use FalseGreen when a consequential Job must be accepted against requirements that extend beyond the scanner’s security domain—for example behavior, lifecycle semantics, migration outcomes, or infrastructure effects.
Better together
Semgrep can produce specialized security findings and policies. FalseGreen does not replace that engine; it can use the resulting evidence without treating a clean security scan as proof that the whole Job is done.
The builder layer stays open
The coding-agent layer remains swappable. FalseGreen sits outside the builder, regardless of which supported agent or underlying model performs the implementation.
Official references
When “done” needs authority