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wtf is claude-keysmith?

jia-ethan/claude-keysmith — explained in plain English

Analysis updated 2026-05-18

278PythonAudience · developerComplexity · 1/5LicenseSetup · easy

TL;DR

A local Python CLI that safely installs, previews, and uninstalls Claude Code CLAUDE.md instruction files with automatic backups.

Mindmap

mindmap
  root((claude-keysmith))
    What it does
      Installs CLAUDE.md import blocks
      Manages instruction files
      Backs up before writing
    Scopes
      User
      Project
      Local
    Commands
      install
      status
      uninstall
      restore
    Tech stack
      Python
    Use cases
      Team rules install
      Personal preferences
      Safe preview

Code map

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Why would anyone build with this?

REASON 1

Install a shared team instruction file into a project's CLAUDE.md without hand-editing it.

REASON 2

Add personal preferences to a local CLAUDE.local.md file that stays out of version control.

REASON 3

Preview changes to your Claude Code memory files before anything is written.

REASON 4

Restore a previous CLAUDE.md from an automatic backup after a bad edit.

What's in the stack?

Python

How it stacks up

jia-ethan/claude-keysmithagentic-in/elephant-agenttechwithtim/python-platformer
Stars278278278
LanguagePythonPythonPython
Last pushed2024-10-17
MaintenanceStale
Setup difficultyeasyeasymoderate
Complexity1/52/52/5
Audiencedevelopergeneralvibe coder

Figures from each repo's GitHub metadata at analysis time.

How do you spin it up?

Difficulty · easy Time to first run · 5min

Single Python script, no packaging or install step required.

Use freely for any purpose, including commercial use, as long as you keep the copyright notice.

Wtf does this do

claude-keysmith is a small local Python tool for people who use Claude Code, Anthropic's command line coding assistant. Claude Code reads persistent instructions from a file called CLAUDE.md, and this tool helps you install a separate instruction file and add a small marked import line to that file, instead of editing it by hand every time. The tool works at three levels: a user level that writes to a shared CLAUDE.md in your home folder, a project level that writes to a CLAUDE.md inside a specific repository, and a local level that writes to a CLAUDE.local.md file meant for personal preferences that are not shared with a team. In each case it places your instruction file in a keysmith folder and inserts a short, clearly labeled block of text that points to it, so the tool only ever touches the block it created and leaves the rest of your file alone. Safety is a core focus. By default the tool only previews what it would do and does not write anything unless you add a confirmation flag. Before it changes an existing file it makes a backup copy first, and the same applies when overwriting an instruction file with the same name. There is also an uninstall command that removes only the matching block and its file, and a restore command that can bring back a previous version from a backup. The author states plainly that the tool does not modify Claude Code's actual settings files, does not touch MCP configuration, does not intercept network traffic, and does not store any tokens, cookies, or credentials. It is written as a single Python script, run with commands like install, status, uninstall, and restore, plus a small test suite. The project is offered under the MIT license. Based on the README, this is meant for individuals and teams who want a safer, repeatable way to manage their Claude Code instruction files rather than editing memory files by hand.

Yoink these prompts

Prompt 1
Use claude-keysmith to preview installing a project-level CLAUDE.md instruction block for this repo.
Prompt 2
Show me how to install a personal instruction file into my user-level CLAUDE.md with claude-keysmith.
Prompt 3
Walk me through uninstalling a claude-keysmith managed block and its instruction file.
Prompt 4
Explain the difference between claude-keysmith's user, project, and local install scopes.

Frequently asked questions

wtf is claude-keysmith?

A local Python CLI that safely installs, previews, and uninstalls Claude Code CLAUDE.md instruction files with automatic backups.

What language is claude-keysmith written in?

Mainly Python. The stack also includes Python.

What license does claude-keysmith use?

Use freely for any purpose, including commercial use, as long as you keep the copyright notice.

How hard is claude-keysmith to set up?

Setup difficulty is rated easy, with roughly 5min to a first successful run.

Who is claude-keysmith for?

Mainly developer.

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