Templates are pre-configured bundles that install multiple components at once. They provide complete setups for specific use cases, frameworks, or workflows, saving time on initial configuration.
What Are Templates? Templates are curated collections of components that work together:
Language-specific - Optimized for JavaScript, Python, Go, etc.Framework-focused - React, Next.js, Django, FastAPI, etc.Workflow-oriented - Git excellence, security-first, testing-focusedUse-case driven - API development, full-stack apps, microservices
Templates are essentially installation recipes that install multiple agents, commands, hooks, MCPs, and settings in one command.
Template Categories Language Templates
Framework Templates
Workflow Templates
Use Case Templates
Comprehensive setups for programming languages: JavaScript/TypeScript
Agents : frontend-developer, backend-developer, fullstack-developerCommands : setup-testing, setup-linting, ci-pipelineHooks : format-javascript-files, eslint-on-saveMCPs : web-fetch, filesystem-accessSettings : allow-npm-commands, use-sonnet npx claude-code-templates@latest --language javascript-typescript
Python
Agents : python-expert, ml-engineer, api-developerCommands : setup-pytest, virtual-env-managerHooks : format-python-files (Black), run-tests-on-saveMCPs : postgresql-integration, filesystem-accessSettings : allow-pip-commands, use-sonnet npx claude-code-templates@latest --language python
Agents : go-expert, microservices-architectCommands : setup-go-testing, module-managerHooks : gofmt-on-save, go-vet-on-changeMCPs : database integrationsSettings : allow-go-commands npx claude-code-templates@latest --language go
Framework-specific configurations: React + TypeScript npx claude-code-templates@latest \ --language javascript-typescript \ --framework react
Includes :
frontend-developer agent
Component testing commands
ESLint + Prettier hooks
TypeScript configuration
React-specific linting rules
Next.js npx claude-code-templates@latest \ --language javascript-typescript \ --framework nextjs
Includes :
Next.js specialist agent
Vercel deployment commands
API route development tools
Image optimization helpers
Edge function configuration
Django + PostgreSQL npx claude-code-templates@latest \ --language python \ --framework django
Includes :
Django expert agent
Migration management commands
PostgreSQL MCP
Django-specific linting
Settings for database access
Specialized workflows: Git Excellence npx claude-code-templates@latest --workflow git-excellence
Includes :
git-expert agent
conventional-commits command
commit-msg-validator hook
branch-strategy command
changelog-generator command
Git operation permissions
Security First npx claude-code-templates@latest --workflow security-first
Includes :
security-auditor agent
vulnerability-scan command
secret-scanner hook
dependency-audit command
Read-only mode settings
Security-focused permissions
Testing Excellence npx claude-code-templates@latest --workflow testing-excellence
Includes :
qa-expert agent
setup-testing command
run-tests-on-change hook
coverage-reporter command
Test execution permissions
Complete setups for specific use cases: API Development npx claude-code-templates@latest --use-case api-development
Includes :
api-developer agent
api-security-audit agent
api-docs command
postgresql-integration MCP
API testing commands
Rate limiting configuration
Full-Stack Application npx claude-code-templates@latest --use-case fullstack-app
Includes :
frontend-developer agent
backend-developer agent
database specialist agent
Full CI/CD pipeline
Database MCPs
Comprehensive permissions
Microservices npx claude-code-templates@latest --use-case microservices
Includes :
microservices-architect agent
docker-deploy command
kubernetes-deploy command
Service mesh configuration
Container orchestration tools
Interactive Template Selection Use interactive mode for guided template selection:
npx claude-code-templates@latest
Choose Language
Select your primary programming language:
Common (language-agnostic)
JavaScript/TypeScript
Python
Go
Rust
Java
Choose Framework
Select your framework (optional):
None
React
Next.js
Vue.js
Django
FastAPI
Select Agents
Choose AI specialists for your project:
frontend-developer
backend-developer
devops-engineer
security-auditor
Select Hooks
Choose automation hooks:
format-on-save
run-tests-on-change
git-commit-formatter
Select MCPs
Choose service integrations:
web-fetch
postgresql-integration
github-integration
Confirm & Install
Review selections and confirm installation.
Template Installation Auto-Detection Mode Claude Code automatically detects your project type:
cd my-react-app npx claude-code-templates@latest --yes
Detection logic :
Checks package.json for React/Next.js/etc.
Looks for requirements.txt or pyproject.toml for Python
Finds go.mod for Go projects
Detects framework from dependencies
Installs appropriate template automatically.
Manual Template Selection # Specific language npx claude-code-templates@latest --language python # Language + Framework npx claude-code-templates@latest \ --language javascript-typescript \ --framework nextjs # With custom agents npx claude-code-templates@latest \ --language python \ --agent ml-engineer \ --agent data-scientist
Dry Run Mode Preview what will be installed:
npx claude-code-templates@latest \ --language javascript-typescript \ --framework react \ --dry-run
Shows list of files that would be created without actually installing.
Template Components Language: JavaScript/TypeScript Default Installation :Agents : - frontend-developer - backend-developer - fullstack-developer Commands : - setup-testing - setup-linting - ci-pipeline Hooks : - format-javascript-files - eslint-on-save MCPs : - web-fetch - filesystem-access Settings : - allow-npm-commands - use-sonnet
Files Created :.claude/ ├── agents/ │ ├── frontend-developer.md │ ├── backend-developer.md │ └── fullstack-developer.md ├── commands/ │ ├── setup-testing.md │ ├── setup-linting.md │ └── ci-pipeline.md ├── settings.json └── settings.local.json .mcp.json
Language: Python Default Installation :Agents : - python-expert - api-developer - ml-engineer Commands : - setup-pytest - virtual-env-manager - requirements-updater Hooks : - format-python-files (Black) - run-tests-on-save MCPs : - postgresql-integration - filesystem-access Settings : - allow-pip-commands - use-sonnet
Customizing Templates After installation, customize components:
Add More Components # Add additional agent npx claude-code-templates@latest --agent security-auditor # Add MCP integration npx claude-code-templates@latest --mcp github-integration # Add automation hook npx claude-code-templates@latest --hook git/commit-validator
New components merge with existing configuration.
Modify Settings Edit .claude/settings.json or .claude/settings.local.json:
code .claude/settings.json
Change permissions, add environment variables, or configure hooks.
Remove Components Delete unwanted component files:
# Remove agent rm .claude/agents/unwanted-agent.md # Remove command rm .claude/commands/unwanted-command.md
Template Best Practices 1. Start with Base Template Install language/framework template first:
npx claude-code-templates@latest --language python --framework django
Then add specialized components:
npx claude-code-templates@latest --agent security-auditor
2. Separate Team vs Personal Settings Commit to git (team settings):
.claude/agents/.claude/commands/.claude/settings.json.mcp.json
Don’t commit (personal settings):
.claude/settings.local.json
3. Document Your Template Create CLAUDE.md in your project:
# Claude Code Setup ## Installed Components - **Agents** : frontend-developer, backend-developer - **Commands** : ci-pipeline, setup-testing - **Hooks** : format-on-save, run-tests - **MCPs** : web-fetch, postgresql-integration ## Usage Invoke agents: `@frontend-developer Build the dashboard` Run commands: `/ci-pipeline setup`
4. Version Control Template Configuration Commit .claude/ directory:
git add .claude/ git commit -m "Add Claude Code template configuration"
Team members get the same setup when they clone.
Template Migration Update to newer template versions:
# Re-run installation npx claude-code-templates@latest --language javascript-typescript
CLI merges new components with existing ones, prompting for conflicts.
Creating Custom Templates Share your template configuration:
1. Export Current Setup Your .claude/ directory IS your template:
# Package template tar -czf my-template.tar.gz .claude/ .mcp.json # Share with team cp my-template.tar.gz /shared/drive/
2. Install from Archive # Extract template tar -xzf my-template.tar.gz # Components are ready to use
3. Publish Template Workflow Create workflow hash for easy sharing:
# Create workflow YAML cat > my-workflow.yml << EOF agents: - frontend-developer - backend-developer commands: - ci-pipeline hooks: - format-on-save mcps: - web-fetch EOF # Install from workflow npx claude-code-templates@latest --workflow my-workflow.yml
Common Template Use Cases Startup MVP npx claude-code-templates@latest \ --language javascript-typescript \ --framework nextjs \ --agent fullstack-developer \ --mcp web-fetch \ --mcp supabase
Result : Full-stack Next.js setup with database and API integration.Enterprise API npx claude-code-templates@latest \ --language python \ --framework fastapi \ --agent api-developer \ --agent security-auditor \ --mcp postgresql-integration \ --setting read-only-mode
Result : Secure API development environment with database access.Data Science Project npx claude-code-templates@latest \ --language python \ --agent ml-engineer \ --agent data-scientist \ --mcp postgresql-integration \ --command data-pipeline
Result : ML/data science environment with database integration.Open Source Project npx claude-code-templates@latest \ --workflow git-excellence \ --agent documentation-expert \ --command changelog-generator \ --mcp github-integration
Result : Git workflow automation with documentation and GitHub integration.Template Limitations Not Supported
Custom file templates (React components, etc.)
Project scaffolding (create-react-app, etc.)
Package installation (npm install, pip install)
Code generation
Workarounds Use commands for custom workflows:
# Create command that scaffolds components npx claude-code-templates@latest --command scaffold-react-component # Use in Claude Code /scaffold-react-component Button
Health Check Verify template installation:
npx claude-code-templates@latest --health
Checks:
.claude/ directory existsAgents are valid markdown
Commands are valid markdown
Settings are valid JSON
MCP configuration is valid
Hooks are properly configured
Run health check after template installation to catch configuration issues early.
Next Steps
Install Template Get started with a template
Browse Components Explore individual components
Create Workflows Bundle components into workflows
Interactive Mode Use guided template selection