TLDR

Name: TLDR
Author: jqbit

Verdict first. Filler never.

Before/After • Prompt • Prompt install • Full install • Install • Benchmarks

Terse, high-signal responses for AI coding agents — less filler, same accuracy on tools, code, and safety.

One repo, two install paths:

Path	What you get	Best for
`TLDR.md` + `install.sh`	Copies the system prompt (and `/tldr` command) into standard agent config locations	Quick global rules file, no Node required
`bin/install.js` (via `npx`)	Detects installed agents; plugins, hooks, skills, optional MCP shrink	Claude Code, Cursor, Codex, Gemini, 30+ agents — see docs/INSTALL.md

Historical prompt variants and benchmarks: data/changelog.md, data/progression.md.

Before / After

🗣️ Normal agent (verbose)

"Sure! I'd be happy to help. The reason your React component is re-rendering is likely because you're creating a new object reference on each render. I'd recommend wrapping it in useMemo."

TLDR mode

New object ref each render. Inline prop = new ref = re-render. useMemo.

Same fix. ~60–75% fewer prose tokens in benchmarks — tools, code, and safety unchanged. Reproduce: bench/v0.14-bench.sh · writeup: data/benchmarks.md.

The prompt — `TLDR.md`

TLDR.md is the active prompt (1,336 bytes). It changes prose style only — not tools, reasoning, or safety.

File	Bytes
`TLDR.md`	1,336
`commands/tldr.md`	1,145

Current defaults (prompt):

default: 1 sentence
target: 3 words
default max: 6 words
one-word greeting for plain greetings
/tldr (supported agents) re-applies rules live in long sessions

Install — prompt only (`install.sh`)

No Node required. Writes TLDR.md to seven standard agent paths and installs /tldr where supported.

curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/jqbit/TLDR/main/install.sh | bash -s --

Optional Hermes merge into ~/.hermes/SOUL.md:

curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/jqbit/TLDR/main/install.sh | bash -s -- --with-hermes

Preview: curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/jqbit/TLDR/main/install.sh

Manual paths and copy/paste commands: data/agent-locations.md.

Install — full stack (`bin/install.js`)

Node ≥18. Auto-detects agents, installs the right plugin/extension/skills/hooks per agent.

npx -y github:jqbit/TLDR

From a clone:

git clone https://github.com/jqbit/TLDR.git && cd TLDR
node bin/install.js          # detected agents
node bin/install.js --all    # hooks + per-repo init + optional extras
node bin/install.js --list   # agent matrix

Windows: install.ps1 runs the Node installer.

Full flags, per-agent table, verify, uninstall, troubleshooting: docs/INSTALL.md.

Verify (prompt install)

for p in ~/.claude/CLAUDE.md ~/.gemini/AGENTS.md ~/.codex/AGENTS.md \
         ~/AGENTS.md ~/.config/opencode/AGENTS.md \
         ~/.factory/AGENTS.md ~/.pi/agent/AGENTS.md; do
  [ -f "$p" ] && grep -q "^## Prime directive" "$p" && echo "✓ $p" || echo "✗ $p"
done
grep -q "^## Prime directive" ~/.hermes/SOUL.md 2>/dev/null && echo "✓ ~/.hermes/SOUL.md" || echo "✗ ~/.hermes/SOUL.md"

Repository map

Path	Purpose
`TLDR.md`	Canonical terse system prompt
`commands/tldr.md`	`/tldr` slash command
`install.sh`	Prompt-only installer (+ optional Hermes)
`install.ps1`	Windows entry → `bin/install.js`
`bin/install.js`	Unified multi-agent installer
`skills/`	TLDR skill suite (source of truth for behavior)
`plugins/tldr/`	Claude Code / distribution mirrors (CI-synced)
`src/hooks/`	Claude Code SessionStart / mode hooks
`docs/INSTALL.md`	Full installer documentation
`.github/CONTRIBUTING.md`	How to change skills or add agents
`data/agent-locations.md`	Per-agent install paths

Research & benchmarks

License

MIT — see LICENSE. Third-party lineage/notices: ATTRIBUTION.md, THIRD_PARTY_NOTICES.md.