caveman-compress

| Agent | Install |
|-------|---------|
| Claude Code | claude plugin marketplace add JuliusBrussee/caveman && claude plugin install caveman@caveman |
| Codex | Clone repo → /plugins → Search "Caveman" → Install |
| Gemini CLI | gemini extensions install https://github.com/JuliusBrussee/caveman |
| Cursor | npx skills add JuliusBrussee/caveman -a cursor |
| Windsurf | npx skills add JuliusBrussee/caveman -a windsurf |
| Copilot | npx skills add JuliusBrussee/caveman -a github-copilot |
| Cline | npx skills add JuliusBrussee/caveman -a cline |
| Any other | npx skills add JuliusBrussee/caveman |

Install once. Use in every session for that install target after that. One rock. That it.

What You Get

Auto-activation is built in for Claude Code, Gemini CLI, and the repo-local Codex setup below. npx skills add installs the skill for other agents, but does not install repo rule/instruction files, so Caveman does not auto-start there unless you add the always-on snippet below.

| Feature | Claude Code | Codex | Gemini CLI | Cursor | Windsurf | Cline | Copilot |
|---------|:-----------:|:-----:|:----------:|:------:|:--------:|:-----:|:-------:|
| Caveman mode | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Auto-activate every session | Y | Y¹ | Y | —² | —² | —² | —² |
| /caveman command | Y | Y¹ | Y | — | — | — | — |
| Mode switching (lite/full/ultra) | Y | Y¹ | Y | Y³ | Y³ | — | — |
| Statusline badge | Y⁴ | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| caveman-commit | Y | — | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| caveman-review | Y | — | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| caveman-compress | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| caveman-help | Y | — | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |

[!NOTE]

Auto-activation works differently per agent: Claude Code uses SessionStart hooks, this repo's Codex dogfood setup uses .codex/hooks.json, Gemini uses context files. Cursor/Windsurf/Cline/Copilot can be made always-on, but npx skills add installs only the skill, not the repo rule/instruction files.

¹ Codex uses $caveman syntax, not /caveman. This repo ships .codex/hooks.json, so caveman auto-starts when you run Codex inside this repo. The installed plugin itself gives you $caveman; copy the same hook into another repo if you want always-on behavior there too. caveman-commit and caveman-review are not in the Codex plugin bundle — use the SKILL.md files directly.

² Add the "Want it always on?" snippet below to those agents' system prompt or rule file if you want session-start activation.

³ Cursor and Windsurf receive the full SKILL.md with all intensity levels. Mode switching works on-demand via the skill; no slash command.

⁴ Available in Claude Code, but plugin install only nudges setup. Standalone install.sh / install.ps1 configures it automatically when no custom statusLine exists.

<details>
<summary><strong>Claude Code — full details</strong></summary>

The plugin install gives you skills + auto-loading hooks. If no custom statusLine is configured, Caveman nudges Claude to offer badge setup on first session.

Standalone hooks (without plugin): If you prefer not to use the plugin system:

Or from a local clone: bash hooks/install.sh / powershell -File hooks\install.ps1

Uninstall: bash hooks/uninstall.sh or powershell -File hooks\uninstall.ps1

Statusline badge: Shows [CAVEMAN], [CAVEMAN:ULTRA], etc. in your Claude Code status bar.

</details>

<details>
<summary><strong>Codex — full details</strong></summary>

macOS / Linux:

Windows:

This repo also ships .codex/hooks.json and enables hooks in .codex/config.toml, so caveman auto-activates while you run Codex inside this repo on macOS/Linux. The installed plugin gives you $caveman; if you want always-on behavior in other repos too, copy the same SessionStart hook there and enable:

</details>

<details>
<summary><strong>Gemini CLI — full details</strong></summary>

Update: gemini extensions update caveman · Uninstall: gemini extensions uninstall caveman

Auto-activates via GEMINI.md context file. Also ships custom Gemini commands:

</details>

<details>
<summary><strong>Cursor / Windsurf / Cline / Copilot — full details</strong></summary>

npx skills add installs the skill file only — it does not install the agent's rule/instruction file, so caveman does not auto-start. For always-on, add the "Want it always on?" snippet below to your agent's rules or system prompt.

| Agent | Command | Not installed | Mode switching | Always-on location |
|-------|---------|--------------|:--------------:|--------------------|
| Cursor | npx skills add JuliusBrussee/caveman -a cursor | .cursor/rules/caveman.mdc | Y | Cursor rules |
| Windsurf | npx skills add JuliusBrussee/caveman -a windsurf | .windsurf/rules/caveman.md | Y | Windsurf rules |
| Cline | npx skills add JuliusBrussee/caveman -a cline | .clinerules/caveman.md | — | Cline rules or system prompt |
| Copilot | npx skills add JuliusBrussee/caveman -a github-copilot | .github/copilot-instructions.md + AGENTS.md | — | Copilot custom instructions |

Uninstall: npx skills remove caveman

Copilot works with Chat, Edits, and Coding Agent.

</details>

<details>
<summary><strong>Any other agent (opencode, Roo, Amp, Goose, Kiro, and 40+ more)</strong></summary>

npx skills supports 40+ agents:

Uninstall: npx skills remove caveman

Windows note: npx skills uses symlinks by default. If symlinks fail, add --copy: npx skills add JuliusBrussee/caveman --copy

Important: These agents don't have a hook system, so caveman won't auto-start. Say /caveman or "talk like caveman" to activate each session.

Want it always on? Paste this into your agent's system prompt or rules file — caveman will be active from the first message, every session:

Where to put it:
| Agent | File |
|-------|------|
| opencode | .config/opencode/AGENTS.md |
| Roo | .roo/rules/caveman.md |
| Amp | your workspace system prompt |
| Others | your agent's system prompt or rules file |

</details>