What’s New

caveman v1.5.0

v1.5.0
Added
  • Make default mode configurable via CAVEMAN_DEFAULT_MODE environment variable or config file at ~/.config/caveman/config.json, with fallback to 'full'
  • Add 'off' mode to skip session-start activation entirely
  • Add /caveman-help command to display a quick-reference card covering all modes, skills, triggers, configuration, and deactivation
Changed
  • Update all install/uninstall scripts (bash and PowerShell) to support configurable default mode
Fixed
  • Fix /caveman with 'off' default writing 'off' to flag file by guarding against 'off' mode and deleting flag file
  • Fix swapped step comments in uninstall.sh where steps 3 and 4 were numbered out of order
  • Update CLAUDE.md documentation to reference configurable default mode instead of hardcoded 'full' default
Configurable default mode

Default mode is now configurable instead of always starting at full. Resolution order:

  1. CAVEMAN_DEFAULT_MODE environment variable (highest priority)
  2. Config file at ~/.config/caveman/config.json (XDG-compliant, cross-platform)
  3. 'full' (unchanged default — fully backward compatible)
export CAVEMAN_DEFAULT_MODE=ultra

{ "defaultMode": "lite" }

All install/uninstall scripts (bash + PowerShell) updated. Invalid modes silently fall through to default.

Closes #86

"off" mode — disable auto-activation

Set CAVEMAN_DEFAULT_MODE=off or {"defaultMode": "off"} in config to skip session-start activation entirely. No flag file written, no rules injected. User can still manually activate with /caveman during the session.

/caveman-help quick-reference card

New skill — type /caveman-help to display a terse reference card covering all modes, skills, triggers, configuration, and deactivation. One-shot display, no mode change.

Works in: Claude Code, Gemini CLI, Cursor, Windsurf, Cline, Copilot, and all agents via npx skills.

Bug fixes
  • Fix /caveman with off default writing "off" to flag file — mode tracker now guards against off and deletes the flag file, matching the activate hook behavior
  • Add test coverage for off mode — both activate hook and mode tracker paths now tested
  • Fix swapped step comments in uninstall.sh — steps 3 and 4 were numbered out of order
  • Update stale CLAUDE.md — /caveman default now references configurable default instead of hardcoded full
View original