Customization Overview

Customization Overview

Claude Kit is designed to be fully customizable. You can create your own commands, modes, and skills, and configure Claude’s behavior for your specific project needs.

What Can You Customize?

1. Commands

Create custom slash commands for your team’s specific workflows:

/deploy-staging    # Your deployment workflow
/audit-deps        # Custom dependency audit
/release-notes     # Generate release notes your way

Learn how to create commands →

2. Modes

Define behavioral modes for different work contexts:

/mode pair-programming    # Your pair programming style
/mode documentation       # Documentation-focused mode
/mode production-debug    # Emergency debugging mode

Learn how to create modes →

3. Skills

Add knowledge modules for your tech stack:

.claude/skills/
├── languages/rust/         # Rust best practices
├── frameworks/svelte/      # Svelte patterns
└── custom/your-api/        # Your internal API docs

Learn how to create skills →

4. CLAUDE.md Configuration

Configure project-specific behavior, conventions, and agent overrides:

• Tech stack and architecture
• Code conventions
• Testing standards
• Security requirements
• Agent behavior overrides

CLAUDE.md reference →

Customization Levels

Claude Kit supports three levels of customization:

Level	What to Change	When to Use
Configuration	Edit CLAUDE.md	Set project conventions, tech stack, standards
Composition	Add modes and skills	Extend behavior without coding
Extension	Create commands	Build custom workflows

Quick Start Examples

Example 1: Add a Custom Command

Create .claude/commands/deploy.md:

# /deploy - Deploy Application

## Usage
/deploy [environment]

---

Deploy to **$ARGUMENTS** environment:

1. Run tests
2. Build production bundle
3. Deploy to environment
4. Verify deployment

Full command creation guide →

Example 2: Configure for Your Stack

Edit .claude/CLAUDE.md:

## Tech Stack

- **Backend**: Ruby on Rails
- **Frontend**: Vue.js
- **Database**: MySQL
- **Testing**: RSpec, Cypress

Full CLAUDE.md guide →

Example 3: Add a Custom Skill

Create .claude/skills/custom/internal-api/SKILL.md:

# Internal API Standards

## Authentication
All endpoints require JWT bearer tokens...

## Error Handling
Use standard error format...

Full skill creation guide →

File Structure

Claude Kit customizations live in your .claude folder:

.claude/
├── CLAUDE.md                    # Main configuration
├── commands/                    # Custom commands
│   ├── deploy.md
│   └── your-command.md
├── modes/                       # Custom modes
│   ├── your-mode.md
│   └── another-mode.md
└── skills/                      # Custom skills
    ├── custom/
    │   └── your-skill/
    │       └── SKILL.md
    └── overrides/
        └── language/
            └── SKILL.md

Best Practices

Start Small

Don’t try to customize everything at once:

1. First: Configure CLAUDE.md for your project
2. Then: Add a mode or two for your common workflows
3. Finally: Create custom commands for repeated tasks

Document Your Customizations

Add comments to your custom files explaining:

• Why the customization exists
• When to use it
• What it does differently

Share Customizations

Custom commands and modes are project-specific, so they should be:

• Committed to version control
• Documented in your project README
• Shared with your team

Keep Skills Focused

Each skill should:

• Cover one specific topic
• Be 50-200 lines
• Include practical examples
• Reference official docs

Common Customization Patterns

Pattern 1: Strict TDD Workflow

Add to CLAUDE.md:

## Tester Agent
- **TDD Required**: Always write tests first
- **Coverage Minimum**: 90%
- **Test Type**: Integration tests for all endpoints

Pattern 2: Security-First Reviews

Create .claude/modes/security-audit.md:

# Security Audit Mode

Focus exclusively on security issues:
- Authentication/authorization
- Input validation
- XSS/CSRF protection
- Secrets management

Pattern 3: Custom Git Workflow

Create .claude/commands/finish-feature.md:

# /finish-feature - Complete Feature

1. Squash commits
2. Update changelog
3. Create PR with template
4. Assign reviewers

Next Steps

Choose what to customize:

• Create Custom Commands — Build workflow automation
• Create Custom Modes — Define behavioral patterns
• Create Custom Skills — Add knowledge modules
• Configure CLAUDE.md — Set project standards

Getting Help

• Check the example commands in the repo
• Look at built-in modes for patterns
• Review existing skills for structure