customize
Add new capabilities or modify ClaudeClaw behavior. Use when user wants to add channels (Telegram, Slack, email input), change triggers, add integrations, modify the router, or make any other customizations. This is an interactive skill that asks questions to understand what the user wants.
Best use case
customize is best used when you need a repeatable AI agent workflow instead of a one-off prompt.
Add new capabilities or modify ClaudeClaw behavior. Use when user wants to add channels (Telegram, Slack, email input), change triggers, add integrations, modify the router, or make any other customizations. This is an interactive skill that asks questions to understand what the user wants.
Teams using customize should expect a more consistent output, faster repeated execution, less prompt rewriting.
When to use this skill
- You want a reusable workflow that can be run more than once with consistent structure.
When not to use this skill
- You only need a quick one-off answer and do not need a reusable workflow.
- You cannot install or maintain the underlying files, dependencies, or repository context.
Installation
Claude Code / Cursor / Codex
Manual Installation
- Download SKILL.md from GitHub
- Place it in
.claude/skills/customize/SKILL.mdinside your project - Restart your AI agent — it will auto-discover the skill
How customize Compares
| Feature / Agent | customize | Standard Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Platform Support | Not specified | Limited / Varies |
| Context Awareness | High | Baseline |
| Installation Complexity | Unknown | N/A |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does this skill do?
Add new capabilities or modify ClaudeClaw behavior. Use when user wants to add channels (Telegram, Slack, email input), change triggers, add integrations, modify the router, or make any other customizations. This is an interactive skill that asks questions to understand what the user wants.
Where can I find the source code?
You can find the source code on GitHub using the link provided at the top of the page.
SKILL.md Source
# ClaudeClaw Customization
This skill helps users add capabilities or modify behavior. Use AskUserQuestion to understand what they want before making changes.
## Mode Detection
Check if `.claude-plugin/plugin.json` exists in cwd:
```bash
cat .claude-plugin/plugin.json 2>/dev/null | grep '"name": "claudeclaw"' && echo "DEVELOPER_MODE" || echo "PLUGIN_MODE"
```
If plugin mode, offer the user a choice via AskUserQuestion:
- **Fork to developer mode (Recommended)** — Clone the repo into a new directory, copy state, full self-improvement and customization
- **Continue in plugin mode** — Limited to channel setup and config changes (no code editing)
If "Fork to developer mode" is chosen, run the migration flow below. Otherwise, proceed with the normal workflow (limited to invoking existing skills like `/add-slack`, `/add-telegram`).
### Migration: Plugin → Developer Mode
1. AskUserQuestion: "To customize ClaudeClaw fully, you need your own fork. First, fork sbusso/claudeclaw on GitHub. What's your GitHub username?"
2. AskUserQuestion: "Where should I clone the repo?" (default: `~/Code/claudeclaw`)
> **Service name:** Derived from the directory name: `com.claudeclaw.<dirname>` (macOS) / `claudeclaw-<dirname>` (Linux). For example, if cwd is `my-assistant`, the service is `com.claudeclaw.my-assistant`. Determine the correct service name before running service commands below.
3. Stop running service (service name derived from current directory name):
- macOS: `launchctl unload ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.claudeclaw.<dirname>.plist`
- Linux: `systemctl --user stop claudeclaw-<dirname>`
4. Clone: `git clone https://github.com/<username>/claudeclaw.git <clone-path>`
5. Copy state from current data directory: `cp -r store groups .env <clone-path>/`
6. AskUserQuestion: "Copy logs too?" If yes: `cp -r logs <clone-path>/`
7. Clear stale sessions: `sqlite3 <clone-path>/store/messages.db "DELETE FROM sessions"`
8. Install and build: `cd <clone-path> && npm install && npm run build`
9. Set up upstream: `cd <clone-path> && git remote add upstream https://github.com/sbusso/claudeclaw.git`
10. Run service setup: `cd <clone-path> && npx tsx setup/index.ts --step service`
11. Print: "Migration complete! Run `cd <clone-path> && claude` to use developer mode. Remove `--plugin-dir` from your Claude Code invocation."
## Workflow
1. **Understand the request** - Ask clarifying questions
3. **Plan the changes** - Identify files to modify. If a skill exists for the request (e.g., `/add-telegram` for adding Telegram), invoke it instead of implementing manually.
4. **Implement** - Make changes directly to the code
5. **Test guidance** - Tell user how to verify
## Key Files
| File | Purpose |
|------|---------|
| `src/service.ts` | Service entry: loads channels/extensions, starts message loop |
| `src/index.ts` | Plugin entry: non-blocking, loaded by Claude Code |
| `src/orchestrator/message-loop.ts` | Core loop: poll, trigger, queue, dispatch agents |
| `src/orchestrator/config.ts` | STATE_ROOT, paths, trigger pattern, runtime selection |
| `src/orchestrator/channel-registry.ts` | Channel self-registration |
| `src/orchestrator/extensions.ts` | Extension system (IPC, DB schema, startup hooks) |
| `src/orchestrator/types.ts` | TypeScript interfaces (Channel, RegisteredGroup, AgentConfig) |
| `src/orchestrator/db.ts` | Database initialization and queries |
| `groups/CLAUDE.md` | Global memory/persona |
## Common Customization Patterns
### Adding a New Input Channel (e.g., Telegram, Slack, Email)
Questions to ask:
- Which channel? (Telegram, Slack, Discord, email, SMS, etc.)
- Same trigger word or different?
- Same memory hierarchy or separate?
- Should messages from this channel go to existing groups or new ones?
Implementation pattern:
1. Create `src/channels/{name}.ts` implementing the `Channel` interface from `src/orchestrator/types.ts` (see `src/channels/whatsapp.ts` for reference)
2. Add the channel instance to `main()` in `src/index.ts` and wire callbacks (`onMessage`, `onChatMetadata`)
3. Messages are stored via the `onMessage` callback; routing is automatic via `ownsJid()`
### Adding a New MCP Integration
Questions to ask:
- What service? (Calendar, Notion, database, etc.)
- What operations needed? (read, write, both)
- Which groups should have access?
Implementation:
1. Add MCP server config to the container settings (see `src/orchestrator/container-runner.ts` for how MCP servers are mounted)
2. Document available tools in `groups/CLAUDE.md`
### Changing Assistant Behavior
Questions to ask:
- What aspect? (name, trigger, persona, response style)
- Apply to all groups or specific ones?
Simple changes → edit `src/orchestrator/config.ts`
Persona changes → edit `groups/CLAUDE.md`
Per-group behavior → edit specific group's `CLAUDE.md`
### Adding New Commands
Questions to ask:
- What should the command do?
- Available in all groups or main only?
- Does it need new MCP tools?
Implementation:
1. Commands are handled by the agent naturally — add instructions to `groups/CLAUDE.md` or the group's `CLAUDE.md`
2. For trigger-level routing changes, modify `processGroupMessages()` in `src/index.ts`
### Changing Deployment
Questions to ask:
- Target platform? (Linux server, Docker, different Mac)
- Service manager? (systemd, Docker, supervisord)
Implementation:
1. Create appropriate service files
2. Update paths in config
3. Provide setup instructions
## After Changes
Always tell the user:
```bash
# Rebuild and restart
npm run build
# macOS:
launchctl unload ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.claudeclaw.plist
launchctl load ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.claudeclaw.plist
# Linux:
# systemctl --user restart claudeclaw
```
## Example Interaction
User: "Add Telegram as an input channel"
1. Ask: "Should Telegram use the same @Andy trigger, or a different one?"
2. Ask: "Should Telegram messages create separate conversation contexts, or share with WhatsApp groups?"
3. Create `src/channels/telegram.ts` implementing the `Channel` interface (see `src/channels/whatsapp.ts`)
4. Add the channel to `main()` in `src/index.ts`
5. Tell user how to authenticate and testRelated Skills
x-integration
X (Twitter) integration for ClaudeClaw. Post tweets, like, reply, retweet, and quote. Use for setup, testing, or troubleshooting X functionality. Triggers on "setup x", "x integration", "twitter", "post tweet", "tweet".
use-local-whisper
Use when the user wants local voice transcription instead of OpenAI Whisper API. Switches to whisper.cpp running on Apple Silicon. WhatsApp only for now. Requires voice-transcription skill to be applied first.
update-skills
Check for and apply updates to installed skill branches from upstream.
update-claudeclaw
Efficiently bring upstream ClaudeClaw updates into a customized install, with preview, selective cherry-pick, and low token usage.
uninstall
Stop and remove the ClaudeClaw background service and agents for this instance
uninstall-extension
Uninstall a ClaudeClaw extension
setup
Run initial ClaudeClaw setup. Use when user wants to install dependencies, authenticate messaging channels, register their main channel, or start the background services. Triggers on "setup", "install", "configure claudeclaw", or first-time setup requests.
qodo-pr-resolver
Review and resolve PR issues with Qodo - get AI-powered code review issues and fix them interactively (GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket, Azure DevOps)
install-extension
Install a ClaudeClaw extension (e.g., slack, triage)
get-qodo-rules
Loads org- and repo-level coding rules from Qodo before code tasks begin, ensuring all generation and modification follows team standards. Use before any code generation or modification task when rules are not already loaded. Invoke when user asks to write, edit, refactor, or review code, or when starting implementation planning.
debug
Debug container agent issues. Use when things aren't working, container fails, authentication problems, or to understand how the container system works. Covers logs, environment variables, mounts, and common issues.
convert-to-apple-container
Switch from Docker to Apple Container for macOS-native container isolation. Use when the user wants Apple Container instead of Docker, or is setting up on macOS and prefers the native runtime. Triggers on "apple container", "convert to apple container", "switch to apple container", or "use apple container".