# Forking Guide

> This symlinks skills/, commands/, agents/, and hooks/ to ~/.claude/.

- Skill: `tools-only/forking-guide` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 3 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add tools-only/forking-guide`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/tools-only/forking-guide/raw
- Safety review: pending (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector WARNING)
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: tools-only (https://skillmd.com/u/tools-only)
- Updated: 2026-09-29
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/tools-only/forking-guide

---

# Forking Guide

How to make this repo your own.

## Step 1: Fork and Clone

1. Click **Fork** on the GitHub repo page
2. Clone your fork:
   ```bash
   git clone https://github.com/YOUR_USERNAME/claude-code-setup.git
   cd claude-code-setup
   ```

## Step 2: Run Setup

```bash
./setup.sh
```

This symlinks `skills/`, `commands/`, `agents/`, and `hooks/` to `~/.claude/`.

## Step 3: Detach from Upstream (Optional)

Your fork tracks the original repo by default. To make it fully independent:

```bash
git remote remove upstream 2>/dev/null || true
git remote -v
# Should show only: origin  https://github.com/YOUR_USERNAME/...
```

## Step 4: Make It Yours

### Edit CLAUDE.md

Replace the coding conventions with your own preferences. The defaults are opinionated toward React/TypeScript.

### Add or Remove Skills

```bash
# Remove a skill you don't need
rm -rf skills/nextjs-boilerplate

# Add your own
mkdir skills/my-skill
# Create skills/my-skill/SKILL.md with frontmatter
```

Skill structure:
```markdown
---
name: my-skill
description: When to use this skill
---

# My Skill

Content here...
```

### Add or Remove Commands

```bash
# Remove a command
rm commands/synthesize-feedback.md

# Add your own
# Create commands/my-command.md with frontmatter
```

Command structure:
```markdown
---
description: What this command does
allowed-tools: Bash, Edit, Read
---

Instructions for Claude...
```

### Update /squad

If you keep the `/squad` command, update the skill catalog in `commands/squad.md` to match your actual skills.

## Step 5: Handle Permissions

The `templates/settings.json.reference` is **reference only**. It contains:
- Hardcoded paths (`/Users/petepetrash/...`)
- Plugin preferences specific to the original author

**Don't copy it directly.** Instead:

### Option A: Build Organically (Recommended)
Just use Claude Code. Accept or deny permissions as they come up. Your settings build naturally.

### Option B: Copy Specific Patterns
```bash
# View the reference
cat templates/settings.json.reference

# Open your settings
code ~/.claude/settings.json

# Copy permission patterns you want, like:
# "Bash(git add:*)"
# "Bash(pnpm:*)"
```

See [templates/README.md](templates/README.md) for more details.

## What to Customize

| Item | Location | Action |
|------|----------|--------|
| Coding conventions | `CLAUDE.md` | Replace with your preferences |
| Skills | `skills/` | Add/remove as needed |
| Commands | `commands/` | Add/remove as needed |
| Agents | `agents/` | Add/remove as needed |
| Hooks | `hooks/` | Add/remove as needed |
| Statusline | `statusline-command.sh` | Customize or delete |
| Permissions | `templates/settings.json.reference` | Reference only |

## Syncing Your Changes

From the repo directory:

```bash
git add -A
git commit -m "Customize for my workflow"
git push
```

## Pulling Updates from Original (Optional)

If you want new skills/commands from the original repo:

```bash
# Add upstream (once)
git remote add upstream https://github.com/petekp/claude-code-setup.git

# Fetch and merge
git fetch upstream
git merge upstream/main
```

This may conflict with your customizations. Most forkers should just maintain their own version.