claudenv

A Go CLI tool for managing multiple isolated Claude Code configuration environments.

Overview

claudenv allows you to maintain separate Claude Code configurations for different projects or workflows. It manages your ~/.claude directory and ~/.claude.json file by creating isolated environments under ~/.claudenv and using symlinks to switch between them seamlessly.

Features

• Multiple Environments: Create and manage isolated Claude configurations (main, work, personal, project-specific, etc.)
• Safe Initialization: Automatically backs up your existing Claude config into a "main" environment
• Easy Switching: Switch between environments with a single keypress
• Interactive TUI: User-friendly terminal interface built with Bubble Tea
• Smart Protection: Prevents accidental deletion of active or main environments
• Empty Environment Detection: Different confirmation flows for empty vs. populated environments

Installation

Install via Go

go install github.com/mickstar/claudenv/cmd/claudenv@latest

Make sure $GOPATH/bin (usually ~/go/bin) is in your PATH.

Build from Source

git clone https://github.com/mickstar/claudenv.git
cd claudenv
go build -o claudenv ./cmd/claudenv

Note: Pre-built binaries are not provided to avoid the complexity of code signing requirements (especially for macOS). The Go installation method is simple and works across all platforms.

Usage

Simply run:

claudenv

First Run - Initialization

On first run, you'll be prompted to initialize the environment system:

1. Press i to initialize
2. Your existing ~/.claude and ~/.claude.json will be moved to ~/.claudenv/main/
3. Symlinks will be created in their place

Managing Environments

Navigation:

• ↑/↓ or k/j - Navigate between environments
• Enter - Switch to the selected environment

Actions:

• n - Create a new environment
• d - Delete the selected environment
• q or Ctrl+C - Quit

Creating an Environment:

1. Press n to open the create dialog
2. Enter a name for your environment
3. Optionally toggle "Switch to this environment once created" (checked by default)
4. Press Enter to create, or Esc to cancel

Deleting an Environment:

1. Select the environment you want to delete
2. Press d
3. Confirm deletion:
   • For empty environments: Type y to confirm
   • For environments with data: Type DELETE (case-sensitive) to confirm

Note: You cannot delete the "main" environment or the currently active environment.

How It Works

claudenv creates a directory structure like this:

~/.claudenv/
├── main/
│   ├── .claude/
│   └── .claude.json
├── work/
│   ├── .claude/
│   └── .claude.json
└── personal/
    ├── .claude/
    └── .claude.json

When you switch environments, claudenv updates the symlinks:

• ~/.claude → ~/.claudenv/<active-env>/.claude
• ~/.claude.json → ~/.claudenv/<active-env>/.claude.json

Claude Code automatically populates these directories on first use, so new environments start empty and get configured naturally when you run Claude Code.

Configuration

claudenv stores its configuration in ~/.claudenv.json:

{
  "environments": [
    {"name": "main"},
    {"name": "work"},
    {"name": "personal"}
  ],
  "location": "/Users/username/.claudenv",
  "active": "main"
}

Requirements

• Go 1.21 or later (for installation)
• macOS, Linux, or Windows with symlink support

License

MIT License - see LICENSE file for details.

Author

Created by mickstar

Contributing

Issues and pull requests are welcome! Please feel free to contribute on GitHub.