Automated Software Protection for CI/CD Pipelines

Silent, Headless Command-Line Security Wrapping via PC Guard CLI.

Modern DevSecOps workflows require security hardening to happen automatically during the compilation phase. Waiting to apply software licensing and anti-piracy features manually before a release slows down your deployment cycle and introduces human error.

With the powerful Command-Line Interface (CLI) built into PC Guard, developers can completely automate the encryption, anti-tamper armoring, and hardware-locked licensing process within any modern build pipeline.

Explore Automation Features 

The Cloud CI/CD Security Dilemma

Standard GitHub-hosted cloud runners spin up short-lived, ephemeral virtual machines that change their hardware footprint (CPU, Drive IDs, and MAC addresses) on every single execution. Because PC Guard enforces strict, military-grade hardware locking to prevent license abuse, these dynamic environments will trigger activation failures. Headless automation requires a stable, persistent build environment.

The Self-Hosted Advantage

By deploying a GitHub Self-Hosted Runner on a persistent Windows machine, you unlock flawless background automation while dramatically increasing security:

  • Stable Hardware Footprint: Permanently activates PC Guard on your build server without activation breaks.
  • Total Code Privacy: Your uncompiled source code and raw binaries never leave your secure local network.
  • Faster Build Times: Utilizes persistent, local dependency caching instead of downloading SDKs from scratch.

Seamless Integration Examples

Standard Command Line Syntax:

C:\Path\To\pcguard.exe -process -silent C:\Path\To\project.pcg

Example: GitHub Actions Pipeline Step (.yml)

Integrate PC Guard natively into your YAML automation scripts to secure your .NET 10, .NET 11, or native binaries automatically upon code push:

- name: Harden Binary with PC Guard Anti-Tamper Shield
  run: |
    & "C:\Program Files (x86)\PC Guard\pcguard.exe" -process -silent "C:\actions-runner\workspace\project.pcg"
  shell: powershell

Robust Automation Features Across All Builds

Exit Code Tracking

Returns a clean exit code of 0 on success, allowing pipelines to safely proceed to signing.

Multi-Version Support

Supports classic frameworks, unified .NET Core setups, and high-performance Native AOT.

Error Interception

Halts the CI/CD pipeline instantly if integrity checks, certificates, or hardware locks fail.

Multi-Layered Code Hardening

Combine external native binary wrapping with code-level obfuscation. By placing PC Guard as the final step right after compiling your application, you guarantee that anti-debugging and anti-memory-dumping guards enclose your internal code securely.

Remote License Deployment via ACEN

Once your pipeline outputs the secured executable, link it instantly to the web-based Activation Center (ACEN). Manage hardware-locked trial durations, over-the-air validation keys, and floating corporate multi-user counts automatically.

Optimize Your Deployment Pipeline Today

Eliminate manual encryption steps. Deliver fully secured, licensed, and hardware-locked software releases automatically with every build.

Download Your Free Automation Trial