diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index eeae296..68088e7 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -271,7 +271,7 @@ observations the entity reads as data:
 - `list_dir(%{path})` — list a directory under `:root`
 - `search(%{pattern, path})` — regex search returning `%{path, line, text}`
   matches
-- `mix(%{task, args})` — run an allowlisted Mix task under `:root`
+- `mix(%{task, args})` — run an explicitly allowlisted Mix task under `:root`
 - `compile_and_load(%{module, source})` — compile and hot-load a module
   (opt-in via `evolve: true` on the Familiar)
 
diff --git a/docs/public-api.md b/docs/public-api.md
index 817992c..bfd5cd2 100644
--- a/docs/public-api.md
+++ b/docs/public-api.md
@@ -226,7 +226,7 @@ Familiar only includes `compile_and_load` when constructed with `evolve: true`.
 Wards are maps. Common wards include:
 
 - `%{max_turns: n}`
-- `%{allow_mix_tasks: ["compile", "format"]}`
+- `%{allow_mix_tasks: ["test"]}` (empty by default; opt into each task explicitly)
 - `%{mix_timeout_ms: 60_000}`
 - `%{mix_max_output_bytes: 50_000}`
 - `%{max_depth: n}`
@@ -243,6 +243,11 @@ Wards are maps. Common wards include:
 - `%{allow_compile_paths: paths}`
 - `%{allow_compile_signers: signers}`
 
+The Familiar starts with no Mix task allowlist; set `allow_mix_tasks` (or
+`run_tests: true`) only for workspaces you trust. Mix child processes receive
+a minimal environment; pass task-specific variables through the gate's `env`
+argument.
+
 `compile_and_load` accepts exact module allowlists via `allow_compile_modules`.
 Deprecated `allow_compile_namespaces` wards are rejected loudly, and framework
 module names are not hot-loadable.
diff --git a/lib/cantrip/familiar.ex b/lib/cantrip/familiar.ex
index d3734cc..cd27f64 100644
--- a/lib/cantrip/familiar.ex
+++ b/lib/cantrip/familiar.ex
@@ -78,9 +78,9 @@ defmodule Cantrip.Familiar do
       read_file.(%{path: "README.md"})
       search.(%{pattern: "defmodule", path: "lib"})
 
-  Use `done.(value)` to finish the cast. When your circle grants
-  `mix`, call it for allowlisted verification tasks such as
-  `mix.(%{task: "compile"})`; do not assume arbitrary shell access.
+  Use `done.(value)` to finish the cast. When your circle grants `mix` and
+  its ward explicitly allows a verification task, call it for that task such
+  as `mix.(%{task: "test"})`; do not assume arbitrary shell access.
 
   Read directly when one file answers the next question. Spawn reader
   children when the work benefits from separate context, narrower
@@ -254,8 +254,7 @@ defmodule Cantrip.Familiar do
     * `:run_tests` — include `test` in the Familiar's default Mix task
       allowlist (default: `false`)
     * `:allow_mix_tasks` — override the Familiar's Mix task allowlist
-      (default: `["compile", "format"]`, plus `"test"` when `:run_tests`
-      is true)
+      (default: `[]`, plus `"test"` when `:run_tests` is true)
     * `:system_prompt` — override the default system prompt (optional)
     * `:sandbox` — `:unrestricted` (default) runs Familiar code in the host
       BEAM for trusted operator-local work, so native Elixir affordances such
@@ -424,8 +423,8 @@ defmodule Cantrip.Familiar do
   defp default_sandbox(nil), do: :unrestricted
   defp default_sandbox(_port_runner), do: :port
 
-  defp default_mix_tasks(true), do: ["compile", "format", "test"]
-  defp default_mix_tasks(false), do: ["compile", "format"]
+  defp default_mix_tasks(true), do: ["test"]
+  defp default_mix_tasks(false), do: []
 
   # Mnesia table names are atoms, so derive a short fixed-shape name from
   # a hash instead of embedding user-controlled path text in the atom.
diff --git a/lib/cantrip/gate/mix.ex b/lib/cantrip/gate/mix.ex
index 4b80fad..720d6fe 100644
--- a/lib/cantrip/gate/mix.ex
+++ b/lib/cantrip/gate/mix.ex
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ defmodule Cantrip.Gate.Mix do
 
   @default_timeout_ms 60_000
   @default_max_output_bytes 50_000
+  @child_env_allowlist ~w(HOME PATH LANG LC_ALL TERM USER)
 
   @spec execute(Cantrip.Gate.Args.Mix.t() | map() | String.t(), list(map()), map()) :: map()
   def execute(args, wards, gate) when not is_struct(args, Cantrip.Gate.Args.Mix) do
@@ -142,7 +143,7 @@ defmodule Cantrip.Gate.Mix do
         :stderr_to_stdout,
         {:args, [task | args]},
         {:cd, cwd},
-        {:env, env}
+        {:env, child_env(env)}
       ])
 
     await_port(
@@ -208,6 +209,32 @@ defmodule Cantrip.Gate.Mix do
     end
   end
 
+  # Port environments extend the BEAM environment. Clear every inherited
+  # variable first, then restore only non-secret process essentials and the
+  # caller's explicit task environment.
+  defp child_env(env) do
+    parent_env = System.get_env()
+    allowlist = MapSet.new(@child_env_allowlist)
+    explicit_names = MapSet.new(env, fn {name, _value} -> List.to_string(name) end)
+
+    cleared =
+      parent_env
+      |> Enum.reject(fn {name, _value} -> MapSet.member?(allowlist, name) end)
+      |> Enum.map(fn {name, _value} -> {String.to_charlist(name), false} end)
+
+    essentials =
+      @child_env_allowlist
+      |> Enum.reject(&MapSet.member?(explicit_names, &1))
+      |> Enum.flat_map(fn name ->
+        case Map.get(parent_env, name) do
+          nil -> []
+          value -> [{String.to_charlist(name), String.to_charlist(value)}]
+        end
+      end)
+
+    cleared ++ essentials ++ env
+  end
+
   defp positive_ward(wards, key, default) do
     case Cantrip.WardPolicy.get(wards, key, default) do
       value when is_integer(value) and value > 0 -> value
diff --git a/test/familiar_test.exs b/test/familiar_test.exs
index 0d764f5..cdfaabe 100644
--- a/test/familiar_test.exs
+++ b/test/familiar_test.exs
@@ -55,21 +55,14 @@ defmodule Cantrip.FamiliarTest do
 
       assert "mix" in Map.keys(cantrip.circle.gates)
 
-      assert Cantrip.WardPolicy.get(cantrip.circle.wards, :allow_mix_tasks) == [
-               "compile",
-               "format"
-             ]
+      assert Cantrip.WardPolicy.get(cantrip.circle.wards, :allow_mix_tasks) == []
     end
 
     test "run_tests opts into the mix test task" do
       llm = {FakeLLM, FakeLLM.new([])}
       {:ok, cantrip} = Familiar.new(llm: llm, root: System.tmp_dir!(), run_tests: true)
 
-      assert Cantrip.WardPolicy.get(cantrip.circle.wards, :allow_mix_tasks) == [
-               "compile",
-               "format",
-               "test"
-             ]
+      assert Cantrip.WardPolicy.get(cantrip.circle.wards, :allow_mix_tasks) == ["test"]
     end
 
     test "allow_mix_tasks overrides the familiar mix allowlist" do
@@ -138,7 +131,7 @@ defmodule Cantrip.FamiliarTest do
       assert prompt =~ "read_file.(%{path: \"README.md\"})"
       assert prompt =~ "search.(%{pattern: \"defmodule\", path: \"lib\"})"
       assert prompt =~ "When your circle grants"
-      assert prompt =~ "mix.(%{task: \"compile\"})"
+      assert prompt =~ "mix.(%{task: \"test\"})"
       assert prompt =~ "do not assume arbitrary shell access"
       assert prompt =~ "choose the answer shape"
       assert prompt =~ "speech-shaped task"
diff --git a/test/mix_gate_test.exs b/test/mix_gate_test.exs
index be6eaca..b38f26f 100644
--- a/test/mix_gate_test.exs
+++ b/test/mix_gate_test.exs
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 defmodule Cantrip.MixGateTest do
-  use ExUnit.Case, async: true
+  use ExUnit.Case, async: false
 
   alias Cantrip.Circle
 
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ defmodule Cantrip.MixGateTest do
     printf 'args=%s\\n' "$*"
     printf 'cwd=%s\\n' "$(pwd)"
     printf 'env=%s\\n' "$CANTRIP_MIX_GATE_ENV"
+    printf 'sentinel=%s\\n' "$CANTRIP_MIX_GATE_INHERITED_SENTINEL"
     """)
 
     File.chmod!(mix_path, 0o755)
@@ -74,6 +75,21 @@ defmodule Cantrip.MixGateTest do
     assert obs.result =~ "allow_mix_tasks"
   end
 
+  test "does not inherit the parent environment", %{root: root, mix_path: mix_path} do
+    key = "CANTRIP_MIX_GATE_INHERITED_SENTINEL"
+    System.put_env(key, "must-not-leak")
+    on_exit(fn -> System.delete_env(key) end)
+
+    obs =
+      root
+      |> circle(mix_path, [%{allow_mix_tasks: ["test"]}])
+      |> Cantrip.Gate.execute("mix", %{"task" => "test"})
+
+    assert obs.is_error == false
+    assert obs.result.stdout =~ "sentinel=\n"
+    refute obs.result.stdout =~ "must-not-leak"
+  end
+
   test "rejects tasks outside the allowlist", %{root: root, mix_path: mix_path} do
     obs =
       root