Verb Switch Skill

A Claude Code skill for customizing spinner verbs in the settings.json file.

What are Spinner Verbs?

Spinner verbs are the animated text messages that appear during Claude's thinking process in Claude Code. This skill allows you to customize these verbs to match your personality, work style, or just for fun.

Features

• View current configuration: See your current spinner verbs
• Add new verbs: Append verbs to existing list
• Replace all verbs: Start fresh with new verb set
• Remove specific verbs: Clean up your verb list
• Reset to defaults: Restore Claude Code defaults
• Backup management: Automatic backups before changes

Directory Structure

cc-verb-switch/
├── SKILL.md                    # Main skill definition
├── scripts/                    # Executable scripts
│   ├── update_spinner_verbs.py # Main modification script
│   └── backup_settings.py      # Backup utility
├── references/                 # Documentation
│   ├── guide.md               # User guide
│   ├── settings_structure.md  # settings.json structure
│   ├── default_verbs.md       # Default verb lists
│   └── troubleshooting.md     # Problem solving
├── assets/                     # Resources
│   ├── sample_settings.json   # Example configuration
│   ├── verb_suggestions.md    # Creative verb ideas
│   └── README.md              # Assets documentation
├── evals/                      # Test cases
│   └── evals.json             # Evaluation prompts
└── README.md                   # This file

Quick Start

Using the Skill

1. Install the skill (when packaged as .skill file)
2. Trigger with phrases like:
   • "Show my spinner verbs"
   • "Add 'dreaming' to my spinner verbs"
   • "Replace all spinner verbs with..."
   • "Reset spinner verbs to defaults"

Manual Script Usage

# View current configuration
python3 scripts/update_spinner_verbs.py --view

# Add new verbs
python3 scripts/update_spinner_verbs.py --add "dreaming,creating" --mode append

# Replace all verbs
python3 scripts/update_spinner_verbs.py --replace "coding,debugging,testing" --mode replace

# Remove verbs
python3 scripts/update_spinner_verbs.py --remove "thinking"

# Reset to defaults
python3 scripts/update_spinner_verbs.py --reset

Configuration File

The skill modifies ~/.claude/settings.json:

{
  "spinnerVerbs": {
    "mode": "append" | "replace",
    "verbs": ["verb1", "verb2", "verb3"]
  }
}

Safety Features

• Automatic backups before any modification
• JSON validation to prevent corruption
• Duplicate prevention in append mode
• Graceful error handling for missing files

Testing

Test cases are available in evals/evals.json. Use the skill-creator skill to run evaluations and refine the skill.

Requirements

• Python 3.6+
• Claude Code installation
• Write access to ~/.claude/settings.json

Development

Skill Structure

• SKILL.md: Primary skill definition with YAML frontmatter
• scripts/: Python scripts for file manipulation
• references/: Detailed documentation loaded as needed
• assets/: Example files and creative resources

Modifying the Skill

1. Edit SKILL.md for skill behavior changes
2. Update scripts in scripts/ for functionality changes
3. Add test cases to evals/evals.json
4. Use skill-creator to test modifications

License

This skill is provided as-is. Use at your own risk. Always backup your settings before modifications.

Support

For issues or suggestions:

1. Check references/troubleshooting.md
2. Review skill documentation
3. Test with skill-creator evaluation system