# Claude Code Templates (aitmpl.com) - Deep Dive

> **TL;DR**: Claude Code Templates is the de facto package manager for Claude Code. It provides 400+ ready-to-use components - agents, commands, hooks, MCP integrations, and settings - that you can install with a single command. Think "npm for Claude Code configurations."

---

## What Is Claude Code Templates?

**Claude Code Templates** (at aitmpl.com) is an open-source project that provides ready-to-use configurations for Anthropic's Claude Code. Instead of manually configuring Claude Code for every project, you can install pre-built components with a single command.

### The Core Insight

> "How you configure your AI development agents is often more critical to project success than the actual code they generate."

The project recognizes that **configuration is key** - the same Claude Code can behave very differently based on:
- The agent personas you give it
- The commands you define
- The hooks that run automatically
- The MCP servers it connects to
- The permission settings you apply

---

## Component Categories

Claude Code Templates organizes 400+ components into six categories:

```
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                   CLAUDE CODE TEMPLATES ECOSYSTEM                    │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│                                                                     │
│   AGENTS (100+)                                                     │
│   └── Specialized AI personas with specific expertise               │
│   └── Frontend developers, security auditors, legal reviewers       │
│   └── Optimized system prompts + tool configurations                │
│                                                                     │
│   COMMANDS (159+)                                                   │
│   └── Reusable command configurations for common tasks              │
│   └── Code review, testing, deployment, documentation               │
│   └── One-click execution of complex workflows                      │
│                                                                     │
│   SETTINGS                                                          │
│   └── Pre-configured permission sets                                │
│   └── Tool allowlists and environment configurations                │
│   └── Security profiles (enterprise, standard, permissive)          │
│                                                                     │
│   HOOKS (39+)                                                       │
│   └── Automated actions triggered by events                         │
│   └── Pre-commit validation, post-push notifications                │
│   └── Quality gates and automated checks                            │
│                                                                     │
│   MCPs (Model Context Protocol)                                     │
│   └── External tool integrations                                    │
│   └── Database connections, API integrations                        │
│   └── Third-party service configurations                            │
│                                                                     │
│   TEMPLATES                                                         │
│   └── Complete project starter configurations                       │
│   └── Framework-specific setups (Next.js, Supabase, etc.)           │
│   └── Industry-specific configurations                              │
│                                                                     │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
```

---

## How It Works

### Installation

Each component can be installed with a single npx command:

```bash
# Interactive browsing and installation
npx claude-code-templates@latest

# Install specific agent
npx claude-code-templates@latest --agent development-team/frontend-developer --yes

# Install specific command
npx claude-code-templates@latest --command code-optimization/bundle-analyzer --yes

# Install specific hook
npx claude-code-templates@latest --hook git/pre-commit-validation --yes

# Install MCP integration
npx claude-code-templates@latest --mcp database/postgresql-integration --yes
```

### Where Components Are Installed

```
your-project/
├── .claude/
│   ├── commands/           ← Commands go here (markdown files)
│   │   ├── code-review.md
│   │   ├── run-tests.md
│   │   └── deploy-check.md
│   │
│   ├── agents/             ← Agents go here (markdown files)
│   │   ├── frontend-developer.md
│   │   ├── security-auditor.md
│   │   └── code-reviewer.md
│   │
│   └── settings.json       ← Hooks embedded here
│
└── .mcp.json               ← MCP configurations go here
```

### How Each Component Type Works

| Component | Installed As | How Claude Uses It |
|-----------|--------------|-------------------|
| **Agents** | Markdown files in `.claude/agents/` | Claude adopts the persona when invoked |
| **Commands** | Markdown files in `.claude/commands/` | User runs via `/command-name` |
| **Hooks** | JSON in `.claude/settings.json` | Auto-triggered on specific events |
| **MCPs** | JSON in `.mcp.json` | Tools available to Claude automatically |
| **Settings** | Merged into `.claude/settings.json` | Permissions and configurations |

---

## Key Features

### 1. The Cart System (Stack Building)

Instead of installing components one by one, you can build complete development stacks:

```
EXAMPLE: Full-Stack Development Stack

Cart contains:
├── Agent: Full-Stack Developer
├── Agent: Code Reviewer
├── Agent: Security Auditor
├── Command: Run Tests
├── Command: Deploy Check
├── Hook: Pre-commit Validation
├── Hook: Post-push Notification
├── MCP: PostgreSQL Integration
└── Settings: Enterprise Permissions

One-click install of entire stack
```

### 2. Framework-Specific Integrations

The site provides complete integration guides for popular frameworks:

| Framework | What's Included |
|-----------|-----------------|
| **Next.js + Vercel** | Agents, commands, hooks for full Next.js workflow |
| **Supabase** | Database agents, MCP servers, specialized commands |
| **And more...** | React, Vue, Node.js, Python projects |

### 3. Community Contributions

The project is open-source and welcomes contributions:
- Add your own agents
- Create custom commands
- Share hooks that work well
- Contribute MCP configurations

---

## Example Components

### Example Agent: Frontend Developer

```markdown
# Frontend Developer Agent

You are a senior frontend developer with expertise in:
- React, Vue, and modern JavaScript frameworks
- CSS architecture (Tailwind, styled-components)
- Performance optimization
- Accessibility standards

## Behavior Guidelines
- Always consider mobile-first design
- Suggest performance optimizations proactively
- Follow component-based architecture patterns
- Include accessibility attributes (ARIA, semantic HTML)

## Available Tools
- Browser DevTools integration
- Lighthouse auditing
- Bundle analysis
```

### Example Command: Code Review

```markdown
# Code Review Command

Review the current changes for:
1. Code quality and best practices
2. Potential bugs or edge cases
3. Performance implications
4. Security considerations
5. Test coverage suggestions

Output format:
- Summary of changes
- Issues found (critical, warning, suggestion)
- Recommendations
- Approval status
```

### Example Hook: Pre-commit Validation

```json
{
  "hooks": {
    "pre-commit": {
      "command": "npm run lint && npm run test:unit",
      "description": "Run linting and unit tests before commit",
      "failOnError": true
    }
  }
}
```

### Example MCP: PostgreSQL Integration

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "postgresql": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["@modelcontextprotocol/server-postgres"],
      "env": {
        "DATABASE_URL": "${DATABASE_URL}"
      }
    }
  }
}
```

---

## Project Structure

After installing components, your project looks like:

```
my-project/
├── .claude/
│   ├── CLAUDE.md              ← Project instructions
│   ├── commands/
│   │   ├── review-code.md     ← /review-code command
│   │   ├── run-tests.md       ← /run-tests command
│   │   └── deploy-check.md    ← /deploy-check command
│   ├── agents/
│   │   ├── senior-dev.md      ← Senior developer persona
│   │   └── reviewer.md        ← Code reviewer persona
│   └── settings.json          ← Hooks and permissions
├── .mcp.json                  ← MCP server configs
└── (your code...)
```

---

## Installation Guide

### Prerequisites

- Node.js 18+
- npm or npx
- Claude Code installed

### Quick Start

```bash
# Navigate to your project
cd my-project

# Run interactive installer
npx claude-code-templates@latest

# Follow prompts to select components
# Components are installed automatically
```

### Browse Before Installing

Visit [aitmpl.com](https://aitmpl.com) to:
- Browse all 400+ components
- Read descriptions and documentation
- Copy installation commands
- Build custom stacks with the cart system

---

## Component Statistics

| Category | Count | Examples |
|----------|-------|----------|
| **Agents** | 100+ | Frontend developer, backend developer, DevOps, security auditor, legal reviewer, documentation writer |
| **Commands** | 159+ | Code review, test runner, deploy checker, bundle analyzer, security scan |
| **Hooks** | 39+ | Pre-commit validation, post-push actions, file watchers |
| **MCPs** | Various | PostgreSQL, MySQL, MongoDB, API integrations |
| **Settings** | Various | Enterprise security, permissive development, CI/CD optimized |

---

## How This Helps Us Achieve Our Goals

Looking at our "Software Development in the Age of AI" repository, Claude Code Templates directly supports our mission:

### 1. **Accelerates Claude Code Adoption**

| Our Goal | How Templates Help |
|----------|-------------------|
| Effective Claude Code usage | Pre-built, tested configurations |
| Best practices | Community-validated components |
| Quick project setup | One-command installation |

### 2. **Complements Our Other Deep Dives**

| Deep Dive | Connection |
|-----------|------------|
| **CCPM** | Templates can provide agent personas for CCPM workflows |
| **MCP Servers** | Templates include MCP configurations |
| **Vibe Kanban** | Agent templates work across orchestration tools |
| **Agentic Design Patterns** | Templates implement patterns (specialized agents, tools) |

### 3. **Practical Resource for Our Community**

We document how to use Claude Code effectively. Templates provide:
- Ready-to-use configurations people can start with
- Examples of well-structured agents and commands
- Reference implementations for hooks and MCPs

### 4. **Aligns with Our Knowledge Base Structure**

Our `.claude/` structure mirrors what Templates creates:
- `commands/` → Custom commands
- `agents/` → Specialized personas
- `settings.json` → Hooks and permissions
- `.mcp.json` → Tool integrations

Templates essentially provides a **package manager** for this structure.

---

## The Creator

**Daniel Avila** (@davila7)
- Created and maintains Claude Code Templates
- Active in the AI developer community
- GitHub: [github.com/davila7/claude-code-templates](https://github.com/davila7/claude-code-templates)

---

## Quick Reference

### Installation Commands

```bash
# Interactive mode
npx claude-code-templates@latest

# Install agent
npx claude-code-templates@latest --agent <category>/<name> --yes

# Install command
npx claude-code-templates@latest --command <category>/<name> --yes

# Install hook
npx claude-code-templates@latest --hook <category>/<name> --yes

# Install MCP
npx claude-code-templates@latest --mcp <category>/<name> --yes
```

### Component Locations

| Component | Location |
|-----------|----------|
| Agents | `.claude/agents/*.md` |
| Commands | `.claude/commands/*.md` |
| Hooks | `.claude/settings.json` |
| MCPs | `.mcp.json` |

---

## Key Links

| Resource | URL |
|----------|-----|
| Website | https://aitmpl.com |
| Agents Browser | https://aitmpl.com/agents |
| Commands Browser | https://aitmpl.com/commands |
| Hooks Browser | https://aitmpl.com/hooks |
| GitHub Repository | https://github.com/davila7/claude-code-templates |
| npm Package | https://www.npmjs.com/package/claude-code-templates |

---

## Quick Stats

| Metric | Value |
|--------|-------|
| Creator | Daniel Avila |
| Website | aitmpl.com |
| Total Components | 400+ |
| Agents | 100+ |
| Commands | 159+ |
| Hooks | 39+ |
| Installation Method | npx (no global install needed) |
| License | Open Source |

---

## Bottom Line

Claude Code Templates solves a simple but important problem: **configuration is tedious**.

Instead of:
- Writing agent personas from scratch
- Figuring out command syntax
- Setting up hooks manually
- Configuring MCP servers

You can:
- Browse 400+ tested components
- Install with one command
- Start being productive immediately

For our repository focused on Claude Code best practices, this is an essential resource. It's the difference between "here's how Claude Code works" and "here's a ready-to-use configuration that works."

**The best configuration is the one you don't have to write yourself.**

---

*Document created: January 2026*
*Sources: [aitmpl.com](https://aitmpl.com), [GitHub - davila7/claude-code-templates](https://github.com/davila7/claude-code-templates), [npm - claude-code-templates](https://www.npmjs.com/package/claude-code-templates), [DEV Community Guide](https://dev.to/dani_avila7/complete-guide-to-claude-code-templates-1pnp)*
