claude-keysmith CLI
A CLI that deploys managed Claude Code instructions to a project, previews file changes and can undo the installation.
- 884 ★ on the repository
- Last commit
- MIT
Extended access
Why this level
- Writes instructions, selected Claude Code settings and the shell profile; mistakenly approved changes affect later launches.
Install
- Works in
Manual install
git clone --branch v7.2 --depth 1 https://github.com/Jia-Ethan/claude-keysmith.gitDownloads v7.2 installer sources. Then run the cloned script with a separate absolute target-project path in `--project-dir`.
Access and checks
How we reviewExtended accessThe tool runs code or makes network calls and only reads external data.
- Writes instructions, selected Claude Code settings and the shell profile; mistakenly approved changes affect later launches.
This is third-party code. Review the repository files before installing.
What it does
claude-keysmith installs Claude Code instructions for one selected project or for a user. It previews affected files and waits for confirmation before writing. The CLI saves backups for recovery after an error. A user installation can change `systemPrompt` in `~/.claude/settings.json` and the shell profile; choosing `--max-tokens` also allows a `max_tokens` change. These affect Claude Code and how it starts, so inspect every path in the preview before approving.
Who it is for. For developers who want repeatable deployment of the same instruction set across Claude Code projects.
Good fit when
- Add rules to a project that already has its own instructions.
- Recover a saved state after an instruction change goes wrong.
- Deploy the same rules to new team working directories.
- Check an installation across macOS, Windows and Linux.
Not a fit when
- You need provider account or API-key synchronization.
- An existing conversation must change behavior without restarting.
- You need a rule installer for Cursor.
Example request
Show which project files claude-keysmith would change and wait for my installation decision.Limitations
Claude Code and Python 3.8 or later must be installed first; the installer needs them to prepare usable instructions. New rules apply in the next conversation, so open a fresh Claude Code session after installation. The `uninstall --runtime` option does not restore the old `systemPrompt`: restore the target file from a saved backup for that rollback. The desktop build has no developer signature, which matters when choosing an installation route.
How to disable. Run `python3 /path/to/claude-keysmith/claude-instruct.py uninstall --scope project --project-dir /path/to/target-project`. Replace `/path/to/claude-keysmith` with the installer’s absolute path and `/path/to/target-project` with the path to the project where instructions were installed. Inspect the plan and confirm the same call with `--yes`.
FAQ
Does Keysmith modify Claude Code itself?
It does not modify the Claude Code binary. It writes instructions and selected startup settings; Windows migration can rename only a confirmed old Keysmith launcher.
Does the CLI send telemetry?
No. The CLI and desktop client make no outbound requests, including update checks.
Does installation touch MCP and hooks?
No. MCP configuration, hooks and permissions are outside the mutation scope.
What does diagnostic output contain?
Paths and state indicators. Settings file contents stay out of output; backup evidence stores size and a checksum.
Can the recovery window restore an arbitrary file?
No. The recovery window lists only backups saved by Keysmith. The CLI command `restore --target --backup` lets you specify the target file to restore and its backup file explicitly.
Discussion
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README in short
The installer separates status checks from file recovery. If the desktop client receives an incomplete CLI response, it stops the operation without treating the change as successful.