Aglet

Investigate why an API scope does not authorize an operation

A scope mismatch needs more than a 403 screenshot. Build paired requests that differ in one permission-relevant property, then follow claims, resource policy, and client mapping. Keep an expired token, wrong audience, missing scope, and local authorization branch as competing explanations until a controlled comparison separates them.

Build a useful investigation brief

  1. Pair allowed and denied calls

    Create one allowed read, one denied operation, and one request for the wrong resource using synthetic identifiers. Record expected scopes, audience, tenant, and result before sending anything. Keep the token body redacted while retaining the claims needed to explain the decision.

  2. Follow claims into policy

    Follow the credential label from configuration through header construction, token decoding, endpoint policy, and response mapping. Compare the exact operation and resource at each boundary. Capture client revision and policy version so a changed local branch is not mistaken for remote behavior.

  3. Vary one permission input

    Change only the scope, resource, audience, or environment in separate runs. A successful variation supports a boundary hypothesis but does not justify granting that value everywhere. If two explanations still fit, name the missing policy or token observation instead of declaring a root cause.

What to carry forward

The investigation is ready when paired calls, claims, resource policy, client revision, and response mapping explain the first divergence. Recommend one narrow configuration or evidence change. Leave access unresolved where the authority owner or remote policy cannot be observed from the available fixtures.

Technical background: OpenAI documentation.

Keep the decision with the work.

Use a Work Item in Aglet to record the problem, the evidence you have, and the next decision. Add an owner and priority, then keep updates in the discussion so the next person can follow the reasoning.

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