Mini Claude Code
December 30, 2025 · View on GitHub
This repository has moved to learn-claude-code
Please visit the new repository for the latest content and updates.
Build your own coding agent from scratch.
Works with Kode CLI, Claude Code, Cursor, and any agent supporting the Agent Skills Spec.
What is this?
A progressive tutorial that demystifies AI coding agents like Kode, Claude Code, and Cursor Agent.
5 versions, ~1100 lines total, each adding one concept:
| Version | Lines | What it adds | Core insight |
|---|---|---|---|
| v0 | ~50 | 1 bash tool | Bash is all you need |
| v1 | ~200 | 4 core tools | Model as Agent |
| v2 | ~300 | Todo tracking | Explicit planning |
| v3 | ~450 | Subagents | Divide and conquer |
| v4 | ~550 | Skills | Domain expertise on-demand |
Quick Start
pip install anthropic python-dotenv
# Configure your API
cp .env.example .env
# Edit .env with your API key
# Run any version
python v0_bash_agent.py # Minimal
python v1_basic_agent.py # Core agent loop
python v2_todo_agent.py # + Todo planning
python v3_subagent.py # + Subagents
python v4_skills_agent.py # + Skills
The Core Pattern
Every coding agent is just this loop:
while True:
response = model(messages, tools)
if response.stop_reason != "tool_use":
return response.text
results = execute(response.tool_calls)
messages.append(results)
That's it. The model calls tools until done. Everything else is refinement.
File Structure
mini-claude-code/
├── v0_bash_agent.py # ~50 lines: 1 tool, recursive subagents
├── v0_bash_agent_mini.py # ~16 lines: extreme compression
├── v1_basic_agent.py # ~200 lines: 4 tools, core loop
├── v2_todo_agent.py # ~300 lines: + TodoManager
├── v3_subagent.py # ~450 lines: + Task tool, agent registry
├── v4_skills_agent.py # ~550 lines: + Skill tool, SkillLoader
├── skills/ # Example skills (for learning)
└── docs/ # Detailed explanations (EN + ZH)
Using the Agent Builder Skill
This repository includes a meta-skill that teaches agents how to build agents:
# Scaffold a new agent project
python skills/agent-builder/scripts/init_agent.py my-agent
# Or with specific complexity level
python skills/agent-builder/scripts/init_agent.py my-agent --level 0 # Minimal
python skills/agent-builder/scripts/init_agent.py my-agent --level 1 # 4 tools (default)
Install Skills for Production Use
# Kode CLI (recommended)
kode plugins install https://github.com/shareAI-lab/shareAI-skills
# Claude Code
claude plugins install https://github.com/shareAI-lab/shareAI-skills
See shareAI-skills for the full collection of production-ready skills.
Key Concepts
v0: Bash is All You Need
One tool. Recursive self-calls for subagents. Proves the core is tiny.
v1: Model as Agent
4 tools (bash, read, write, edit). The complete agent in one function.
v2: Structured Planning
Todo tool makes plans explicit. Constraints enable complex tasks.
v3: Subagent Mechanism
Task tool spawns isolated child agents. Context stays clean.
v4: Skills Mechanism
SKILL.md files provide domain expertise on-demand. Knowledge as a first-class citizen.
Deep Dives
Technical tutorials (docs/):
| English | 中文 |
|---|---|
| v0: Bash is All You Need | v0: Bash 就是一切 |
| v1: Model as Agent | v1: 模型即代理 |
| v2: Structured Planning | v2: 结构化规划 |
| v3: Subagent Mechanism | v3: 子代理机制 |
| v4: Skills Mechanism | v4: Skills 机制 |
Original articles (articles/) - Chinese only, social media style:
Related Projects
| Repository | Purpose |
|---|---|
| learn-claude-code | New home for this project |
| Kode | Full-featured open source agent CLI (production) |
| shareAI-skills | Production-ready skills for AI agents |
| Agent Skills Spec | Official specification |
Use as Template
Fork and customize for your own agent projects:
git clone https://github.com/shareAI-lab/learn-claude-code
cd learn-claude-code
# Start from any version level
cp v1_basic_agent.py my_agent.py
Philosophy
The model is 80%. Code is 20%.
Kode and Claude Code work not because of clever engineering, but because the model is trained to be an agent. Our job is to give it tools and stay out of the way.
License
MIT
Model as Agent. That's the whole secret.