Summary

cpaczek/any-buddy enables users to deeply customize their Claude Code companion pets, offering control over species, rarity, appearance, and naming. It targets Claude Code users seeking a personalized AI companion experience through an interactive and fun modification tool.

How It Works

The project modifies the Claude Code binary via patching to enable custom companion pets. It features a Text User Interface (TUI) with live ASCII art previews for interactive building. Core mechanisms involve a "salt search algorithm" and binary patching. Bun is recommended for optimal TUI performance and accurate hash computation (wyhash); without it, the tool defaults to sequential prompts and FNV-1a hashing. Functionality includes saving, switching, and restoring custom buddies.

Quick Start & Requirements

• Install: npx any-buddy@latest (interactive builder with Bun) or npm install -g any-buddy (global install).
• Prerequisites: Node.js >= 20, Bun (recommended for TUI/hashing), Claude Code installed.
• Platform Support: Linux, macOS, Windows (tested).
• Docs: HOW_IT_WORKS.md, CONTRIBUTING.md.

Highlighted Details

• Extensive customization: 18 species, multiple rarities, eye styles, hats, and naming.
• Interactive TUI builder with live ASCII art preview.
• 23 curated themed presets with animated previews.
• Non-interactive CLI flags for direct application of builds.
• Features for saving, switching, and restoring companion pets.

Maintenance & Community

Key contributors include @jtuskan, @aaronepinto, @joshpocock, @Co-Messi, and @Ahmad8864, with specific contributions noted. No direct community channels (e.g., Discord, Slack) are listed in the README.

Licensing & Compatibility

• License: WTFPL (Do What The Fuck You Want To Public License).
• Compatibility: This highly permissive license allows broad use, modification, and distribution, including within closed-source projects, with minimal restrictions.

Limitations & Caveats

macOS users may need to re-sign binaries after patching if Claude Code fails to launch. Bun is strongly recommended for the full interactive experience and correct hash computation; Node.js fallback uses FNV-1a and sequential prompts. The tool relies on Anthropic's "salt string," making it susceptible to breakage if Anthropic changes it. Exact stat values are seed-determined, irrespective of peak/dump stat selection.