Claude Code Lean

Website: https://0p9b.github.io/claude-code-lean/
Config breakdown: https://0p9b.github.io/claude-code-lean/config.html

Cut Claude Code CLI startup context. Start lean, step up only as far as you need.

Install (one command)

curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/0p9b/claude-code-lean/main/install.sh | bash

You’ll get an interactive menu → confirm step → install (backs up existing files).

Look for Installer version: 2026-07-19-15. If GitHub raw looks stale:

git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/0p9b/claude-code-lean.git /tmp/claude-code-lean && bash /tmp/claude-code-lean/install.sh

Four profiles (+ Both)

#	Profile	Tools	System prompt	Thinking	Run
1	Ultra	6 core	Custom minimal	Off	claude-lean
2	Regular	6 core	Claude Code default	Off	claude
3	Balanced ★	6 + Glob/Grep/TodoWrite	Claude Code default	On	claude
4	Both	6 core	Ultra or Regular	Off	either command
5	Custom	You choose	Wizard	Optional	your picks

• 1–3 & 5 = the four profiles (stripped → practical → fully custom).
• 4 Both = convenience: installs Ultra + Regular launchers with the lean 6-tool settings.

Non-interactive:

curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/0p9b/claude-code-lean/main/install.sh | CLAUDE_LEAN_MODE=balanced bash
# ultra | regular | balanced | both
# custom requires the interactive menu (option 5)

After install

1. Restart any open Claude Code sessions
2. Run claude or claude-lean (depending on what you picked)
3. Type /context to verify

If claude-lean isn’t found:

export PATH="$HOME/.local/bin:$PATH"

Files you can edit later

The installer prints these paths. Defaults:

File	What to change
~/.claude/settings.json	Tools deny list, effort, thinking, memory, feature disables
~/.claude/output-styles/lean.md	Short output style (“Be brief.”)
~/.local/bin/claude-lean	Ultra launcher script
~/.claude/system-prompt-lean.txt	Ultra system prompt text
~/.claude/claude-lean.conf	Custom tool list for claude-lean (Custom mode only)

Or just re-run the installer anytime — it backs up existing files first.

Full reference: docs/CONFIG.md · config.html

What you get

Lean base (Ultra / Regular / Both):
Bash · Read · Write · Edit · WebSearch · WebFetch

Balanced adds: Glob · Grep · TodoWrite · thinking on

Still off in Balanced: MCP, Agent, skills, Task*, LSP, memory, hooks, CLAUDE.md, git instructions, …

Defaults: effort medium · OAuth login kept (no --bare)

Requirements

• Claude Code CLI on your PATH
• curl
• python3 (Custom mode only)

License

MIT