feat: add configurable temp directory to resolve Windows access denied errors (#629)

Author: sergio-sisternes-epam

CHANGELOG.md

@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ and this project adheres to [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/spec/v2.0.0
 ### Added
 
 - `apm install` now automatically discovers and deploys local `.apm/` primitives (skills, instructions, agents, prompts, hooks, commands) to target directories, with local content taking priority over dependencies on collision (#626, #644)
+- Add `temp-dir` configuration key (`apm config set temp-dir PATH`) to override the system temporary directory, resolving `[WinError 5] Access is denied` in corporate Windows environments (#629)
 
 ### Fixed
 

docs/src/content/docs/reference/cli-commands.md

@@ -1345,6 +1345,7 @@ apm config
 - Global configuration
   - APM CLI version
   - `auto-integrate` setting
+  - `temp-dir` setting (when configured)
 
 **Examples:**
 ```bash
@@ -1363,6 +1364,7 @@ apm config get [KEY]
 **Arguments:**
 - `KEY` (optional) - Configuration key to retrieve. Supported keys:
   - `auto-integrate` - Whether to automatically integrate `.prompt.md` files into AGENTS.md
+  - `temp-dir` - Custom temporary directory for clone/download operations
 
 If `KEY` is omitted, displays all configuration values.
 
@@ -1386,6 +1388,7 @@ apm config set KEY VALUE
 **Arguments:**
 - `KEY` - Configuration key to set. Supported keys:
   - `auto-integrate` - Enable/disable automatic integration of `.prompt.md` files
+  - `temp-dir` - Set a custom temporary directory path
 - `VALUE` - Value to set. For boolean keys, use: `true`, `false`, `yes`, `no`, `1`, `0`
 
 **Configuration Keys:**
@@ -1411,6 +1414,30 @@ apm config set auto-integrate yes
 apm config set auto-integrate 1
 ```
 
+**`temp-dir`** - Override the system temporary directory
+- **Type:** String (directory path)
+- **Default:** System temp directory (not stored)
+- **Description:** Set a custom temporary directory for clone and download operations. Useful in corporate Windows environments where endpoint security software restricts access to `%TEMP%`, causing `[WinError 5] Access is denied`.
+- **Resolution order:** `APM_TEMP_DIR` environment variable > `temp_dir` in `~/.apm/config.json` > system default.
+- **Use Cases:**
+  - Set when the default system temp directory is restricted or unavailable
+  - Use the `APM_TEMP_DIR` environment variable for CI pipelines or per-session overrides
+
+**Examples:**
+```bash
+# Set a custom temp directory (Windows)
+apm config set temp-dir C:\apm-temp
+
+# Set a custom temp directory (macOS/Linux)
+apm config set temp-dir /tmp/apm-work
+
+# Check the current temp-dir setting
+apm config get temp-dir
+
+# Or use the environment variable instead
+export APM_TEMP_DIR=/tmp/apm-work
+```
+
 ## Runtime Management (Experimental)
 
 ### `apm runtime` (Experimental) - Manage AI runtimes

packages/apm-guide/.apm/skills/apm-usage/commands.md

@@ -81,6 +81,6 @@
 | Command | Purpose | Key flags |
 |---------|---------|-----------|
 | `apm config` | Show current configuration | -- |
-| `apm config get [KEY]` | Get a config value | -- |
-| `apm config set KEY VALUE` | Set a config value | -- |
+| `apm config get [KEY]` | Get a config value (`auto-integrate`, `temp-dir`) | -- |
+| `apm config set KEY VALUE` | Set a config value (`auto-integrate`, `temp-dir`) | -- |
 | `apm update` | Update APM itself | `--check` only check |

src/apm_cli/bundle/unpacker.py

@@ -56,7 +56,8 @@ def unpack_bundle(
     # 1. If archive, extract to temp dir
     cleanup_temp = False
     if bundle_path.is_file() and bundle_path.name.endswith(".tar.gz"):
-        temp_dir = Path(tempfile.mkdtemp(prefix="apm-unpack-"))
+        from ..config import get_apm_temp_dir
+        temp_dir = Path(tempfile.mkdtemp(prefix="apm-unpack-", dir=get_apm_temp_dir()))
         cleanup_temp = True
         try:
             with tarfile.open(bundle_path, "r:gz") as tar:

src/apm_cli/commands/config.py

@@ -84,6 +84,12 @@ def config(ctx):
 
             config_table.add_row("Global", "APM CLI Version", get_version())
 
+            from ..config import get_temp_dir as _get_temp_dir
+
+            _temp_dir_val = _get_temp_dir()
+            if _temp_dir_val:
+                config_table.add_row("", "Temp Directory", _temp_dir_val)
+
             console.print(config_table)
 
         except (ImportError, NameError):
@@ -105,6 +111,12 @@ def config(ctx):
             click.echo(f"\n{HIGHLIGHT}Global:{RESET}")
             click.echo(f"  APM CLI Version: {get_version()}")
 
+            from ..config import get_temp_dir as _get_temp_dir_fb
+
+            _temp_dir_fb = _get_temp_dir_fb()
+            if _temp_dir_fb:
+                click.echo(f"  Temp Directory: {_temp_dir_fb}")
+
 
 @config.command(help="Set a configuration value")
 @click.argument("key")
@@ -116,7 +128,7 @@ def set(key, value):
         apm config set auto-integrate false
         apm config set auto-integrate true
     """
-    from ..config import set_auto_integrate
+    from ..config import set_auto_integrate, set_temp_dir
 
     logger = CommandLogger("config set")
     if key == "auto-integrate":
@@ -129,9 +141,17 @@ def set(key, value):
         else:
             logger.error(f"Invalid value '{value}'. Use 'true' or 'false'.")
             sys.exit(1)
+    elif key == "temp-dir":
+        try:
+            set_temp_dir(value)
+            from ..config import get_temp_dir
+            logger.success(f"Temporary directory set to: {get_temp_dir()}")
+        except ValueError as exc:
+            logger.error(str(exc))
+            sys.exit(1)
     else:
         logger.error(f"Unknown configuration key: '{key}'")
-        logger.progress("Valid keys: auto-integrate")
+        logger.progress("Valid keys: auto-integrate, temp-dir")
         logger.progress(
             "This error may indicate a bug in command routing. Please report this issue."
         )
@@ -147,16 +167,22 @@ def get(key):
         apm config get auto-integrate
         apm config get
     """
-    from ..config import get_auto_integrate
+    from ..config import get_auto_integrate, get_temp_dir
 
     logger = CommandLogger("config get")
     if key:
         if key == "auto-integrate":
             value = get_auto_integrate()
             click.echo(f"auto-integrate: {value}")
+        elif key == "temp-dir":
+            value = get_temp_dir()
+            if value is None:
+                click.echo("temp-dir: Not set (using system default)")
+            else:
+                click.echo(f"temp-dir: {value}")
         else:
             logger.error(f"Unknown configuration key: '{key}'")
-            logger.progress("Valid keys: auto-integrate")
+            logger.progress("Valid keys: auto-integrate, temp-dir")
             logger.progress(
                 "This error may indicate a bug in command routing. Please report this issue."
             )
@@ -167,3 +193,5 @@ def get(key):
         # have not been written yet (e.g. auto_integrate on a fresh install).
         logger.progress("APM Configuration:")
         click.echo(f"  auto-integrate: {get_auto_integrate()}")
+        temp_dir = get_temp_dir()
+        click.echo(f"  temp-dir: {temp_dir if temp_dir is not None else 'Not set (using system default)'}")

src/apm_cli/commands/update.py

@@ -117,8 +117,10 @@ def update(check):
             response.raise_for_status()
 
             # Create temporary file for install script
+            from ..config import get_apm_temp_dir
             with tempfile.NamedTemporaryFile(
-                mode="w", suffix=_get_update_installer_suffix(), delete=False
+                mode="w", suffix=_get_update_installer_suffix(), delete=False,
+                dir=get_apm_temp_dir()
             ) as f:
                 temp_script = f.name
                 f.write(response.text)

src/apm_cli/config.py

@@ -92,3 +92,57 @@ def set_auto_integrate(enabled: bool) -> None:
         enabled: Whether to enable auto-integration.
     """
     update_config({"auto_integrate": enabled})
+
+
+def get_temp_dir() -> Optional[str]:
+    """Get the configured temporary directory.
+
+    Returns:
+        The stored temp_dir config value, or None if not set.
+    """
+    return get_config().get("temp_dir")
+
+
+def set_temp_dir(path: str) -> None:
+    """Set the temporary directory after validating it exists and is writable.
+
+    The path is normalised (``~`` expansion + absolute) before validation and
+    storage so that relative or home-relative paths work predictably.
+
+    Args:
+        path: Filesystem path to use as temporary directory.
+
+    Raises:
+        ValueError: If the path does not exist, is not a directory, or is not
+            writable.
+    """
+    resolved = os.path.abspath(os.path.expanduser(path))
+    if not os.path.exists(resolved):
+        raise ValueError(f"Directory does not exist: {resolved}")
+    if not os.path.isdir(resolved):
+        raise ValueError(f"Path is not a directory: {resolved}")
+    if not os.access(resolved, os.W_OK):
+        raise ValueError(f"Directory is not writable: {resolved}")
+    update_config({"temp_dir": resolved})
+
+
+def get_apm_temp_dir() -> Optional[str]:
+    """Return the effective temporary directory for APM operations.
+
+    Resolution order:
+      1. ``APM_TEMP_DIR`` environment variable (escape-hatch override)
+      2. ``temp_dir`` value from ``~/.apm/config.json``
+      3. ``None`` (caller falls back to the system default)
+
+    Empty or whitespace-only values are treated as unset and skipped.
+
+    Returns:
+        Directory path string, or None when the system default should be used.
+    """
+    env_val = os.environ.get("APM_TEMP_DIR", "").strip()
+    if env_val:
+        return env_val
+    config_val = (get_temp_dir() or "").strip()
+    if config_val:
+        return config_val
+    return None

src/apm_cli/deps/github_downloader.py

@@ -195,7 +195,9 @@ def _setup_git_environment(self) -> Dict[str, Any]:
         if sys.platform == 'win32':
             # 'NUL' fails on some Windows git versions; use an empty temp file.
             import tempfile
-            empty_cfg = os.path.join(tempfile.gettempdir(), '.apm_empty_gitconfig')
+            from ..config import get_apm_temp_dir
+            temp_base = get_apm_temp_dir() or tempfile.gettempdir()
+            empty_cfg = os.path.join(temp_base, '.apm_empty_gitconfig')
             with open(empty_cfg, 'w') as f:
                 pass
             env['GIT_CONFIG_GLOBAL'] = empty_cfg
@@ -954,7 +956,8 @@ def resolve_git_reference(self, repo_ref: Union[str, "DependencyReference"]) ->
         # Create a temporary directory for Git operations
         temp_dir = None
         try:
-            temp_dir = Path(tempfile.mkdtemp())
+            from ..config import get_apm_temp_dir
+            temp_dir = Path(tempfile.mkdtemp(dir=get_apm_temp_dir()))
 
             if is_likely_commit:
                 # For commit SHAs, clone full repository first, then checkout the commit
@@ -1775,8 +1778,10 @@ def download_subdirectory_package(self, dep_ref: DependencyReference, target_pat
         # tempfile.TemporaryDirectory().__exit__ calls shutil.rmtree without our
         # retry logic, which raises WinError 32 when git processes still hold
         # handles at the end of the with-block.
-        temp_dir = tempfile.mkdtemp()
+        from ..config import get_apm_temp_dir
+        temp_dir = None
         try:
+            temp_dir = tempfile.mkdtemp(dir=get_apm_temp_dir())
             # Sparse checkout always targets "repo/".  If it fails we clone into
             # "repo_clone/" so we never have to rmtree a directory that may still
             # have live git handles from the failed subprocess.
@@ -1886,8 +1891,32 @@ def download_subdirectory_package(self, dep_ref: DependencyReference, target_pat
             if progress_obj and progress_task_id is not None:
                 progress_obj.update(progress_task_id, completed=90, total=100)
 
+        except PermissionError as exc:
+            exc_path = getattr(exc, 'filename', None)
+            # If temp_dir wasn't created (mkdtemp failed) or the error is within
+            # the temp tree, this is likely a restricted temp directory issue.
+            if temp_dir is None or (exc_path and str(exc_path).startswith(str(temp_dir))):
+                raise RuntimeError(
+                    "Access denied in temporary directory"
+                    + (f" '{temp_dir}'" if temp_dir else "")
+                    + ". Corporate security may restrict this path. "
+                    "Fix: apm config set temp-dir <WRITABLE_PATH>"
+                ) from None
+            raise
+        except OSError as exc:
+            if getattr(exc, 'errno', None) == 13 or getattr(exc, 'winerror', None) == 5:
+                exc_path = getattr(exc, 'filename', None)
+                if temp_dir is None or (exc_path and str(exc_path).startswith(str(temp_dir))):
+                    raise RuntimeError(
+                        "Access denied in temporary directory"
+                        + (f" '{temp_dir}'" if temp_dir else "")
+                        + ". Corporate security may restrict this path. "
+                        "Fix: apm config set temp-dir <WRITABLE_PATH>"
+                    ) from None
+            raise
         finally:
-            _rmtree(temp_dir)
+            if temp_dir:
+                _rmtree(temp_dir)
 
         # Validate the extracted package (after temp dir is cleaned up)
         validation_result = validate_apm_package(target_path)
@@ -1938,6 +1967,7 @@ def _download_subdirectory_from_artifactory(
     ) -> PackageInfo:
         """Download an archive from Artifactory and extract a subdirectory."""
         import tempfile
+        from ..config import get_apm_temp_dir
         ref = dep_ref.reference or "main"
         subdir_path = dep_ref.virtual_path
         repo_parts = dep_ref.repo_url.split('/')
@@ -1947,7 +1977,7 @@ def _download_subdirectory_from_artifactory(
         if progress_obj and progress_task_id is not None:
             progress_obj.update(progress_task_id, completed=10, total=100)
 
-        with tempfile.TemporaryDirectory() as temp_dir:
+        with tempfile.TemporaryDirectory(dir=get_apm_temp_dir()) as temp_dir:
             temp_path = Path(temp_dir) / "full_pkg"
             self._download_artifactory_archive(host, prefix, owner, repo, ref, temp_path, scheme=scheme)
             if progress_obj and progress_task_id is not None:

src/apm_cli/runtime/manager.py

@@ -105,7 +105,8 @@ def run_embedded_script(self, script_content: str, common_content: str,
         """Execute an embedded setup script with common utilities."""
         script_args = script_args or []
 
-        with tempfile.TemporaryDirectory() as temp_dir:
+        from ..config import get_apm_temp_dir
+        with tempfile.TemporaryDirectory(dir=get_apm_temp_dir()) as temp_dir:
             temp_path = Path(temp_dir)
 
             if self._is_windows: