Claude Code · Open Source

One command to
install them all.

A standalone installer and a Claude Code skill that set up Longhand, Context-Mode, and Hardgate as a coordinated stack — with timestamped config backup, per-tool idempotency, and a hardened post-install verification checklist.

View on GitHub User Manual Full PDF Contributing
The Stack

Three tools. One coordinated install.

Each tool solves a different problem with Claude Code. Together they give you persistent memory, a clean context window, and hard enforcement — all wired together correctly from the start.

🧠

Longhand

Stores every session verbatim in SQLite + ChromaDB. Semantic recall in ~126ms. Claude remembers past conversations, decisions, and code changes — zero API cost.

By Wynelson94 · github.com/Wynelson94/longhand

Memory Layer
🔲

Context-Mode

Sandboxes tool output. Raw command results are processed outside the context window. Sessions run longer. Claude stops forgetting earlier parts of the conversation.

By scottconverse · github.com/scottconverse/context-mode

Context Layer
🔒

Hardgate

Blocks forbidden tool calls via exit 2 hooks. Claude cannot push to GitHub, delete files, or run migrations without your explicit approval.

By scottconverse · github.com/scottconverse/hardgate

Enforcement Layer
Architecture

How the layers interact

Each tool hooks into a different Claude Code event. They operate independently at runtime — a misconfigured layer doesn't break the others.

🔒 Hardgate 🔲 Context-Mode 🧠 Longhand ⚙️ Claude Code Core PreToolUse hook — exit 2 blocks forbidden tools before they run PreToolUse hook — sandboxes output; feeds Claude a clean summary SessionEnd hook + UserPromptSubmit hook — saves and recalls sessions Runs tools, manages context window, dispatches hooks in order request flow
Your Prompt to Claude Hardgate PreToolUse ⛔ Blocked Context-Mode sandbox + summarise Tool Runs Bash, Read, … Longhand saves session allowed blocked

Figure: request flow through the three hook layers. Layers are independent — each hooks a different Claude Code event.

Quick Start

Two ways to install

Requires Python 3.10+, Node.js 18+, and the Claude Code CLI. Pick the path that fits your workflow.

Option A — Standalone
No Claude Code session needed
Run bash install.sh or double-click install.bat on Windows. Best for first-time setup.
Option B — Claude Code Skill
From inside an active session
Run /stack in Claude Code. Best for users already in a session.
1

Clone the repo

Both paths require the full repo — do not copy just the skill file.

$ git clone https://github.com/scottconverse/stack
$ cd stack
2

Run the installer

Option A — Standalone (recommended for first install):

# macOS / Linux
$ bash install.sh

# Windows — double-click install.bat, or from any terminal:
$ python install.py

Option B — Claude Code skill:

$ claude
> /stack
3

Complete the Hardgate step

Both paths pause here. Open Claude Code, run /hard-gate, and follow the prompts to choose which tools to enforce. Then return to the installer and press Enter.

4

Verify and restart

After install, confirm runtime health and restart Claude Code.

$ longhand doctor
$ claude mcp list
Technical Specs

Under the hood

Tested against these specific versions. Pin if you need reproducibility.

Tool Tested version Install method Runtime hook
Longhand 0.5.5 pip install longhand==0.5.5 SessionEnd, UserPromptSubmit
Context-Mode 1.6.0 node install.js from local clone PreToolUse (Bash, Read, WebFetch + 6 more)
Hardgate — /hard-gate skill (interactive) PreToolUse (exit 2), SessionStart
Python 3.14.3 (pre-release; 3.10+ supported) Prerequisite Powers Longhand + verify.py
Node.js 18+ Prerequisite Powers Context-Mode install
Known limitation: The post-install verifier checks that config entries are present — not that MCP servers are live. After install, always run longhand doctor and claude mcp list to verify runtime health.
Resources

Everything you need

GitHub Repo

Source code, issues, and pull requests.

User Manual

Plain-language guide to what each tool does and what to do when things go wrong.

Full PDF

Deep-dive reference with architecture diagrams, design decisions, and full verifier docs.

Contributing

Dev setup, running tests, architecture notes, and commit style.

Changelog

What changed in each release.