claudemon is a playful productivity tool by Zamarrowski that gamifies coding in Claude Code by displaying wild Pokémon from the original 151 in a dedicated terminal tab as you work.

How does claudemon work?

As you interact with Claude Code, claudemon tracks your prompts and actions, causing wild Pokémon to appear in a separate terminal tab, turning each prompt into a step through a Pokémon encounter.

Is claudemon free to use?

Yes, claudemon is free and open-source, available for anyone to install and use with Claude Code.

Which Pokémon are included in claudemon?

claudemon features the original 151 Pokémon from the first generation, adding a nostalgic twist to your coding sessions.

Do I need to install anything to use claudemon?

You need to have Claude Code installed, then you can install claudemon via npm or from its GitHub repository, following the setup instructions.

Can I customize the Pokémon encounters in claudemon?

Yes, claudemon allows some customization, such as adjusting encounter rates or disabling certain Pokémon, through configuration options in your setup.

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What is claudemon?

claudemon is a playful productivity tool that gamifies coding sessions inside Claude Code. It turns every prompt you send into a step in a virtual walk, and while Claude works, wild Pokémon from the original 151 appear in a dedicated terminal tab. The game runs entirely locally—no account, no backend, and nothing leaves your machine. It’s built for developers who want a light, nostalgic distraction without breaking their workflow.

Application scenarios

Long-running coding tasks
Each prompt buys steps, and every 20 seconds Claude spends working adds another step, so waiting time becomes gameplay time.
Terminal-based development
The game lives in a second terminal tab, so you can glance at it without leaving your coding environment.
Casual breaks during heavy sessions
Pokémon appear one at a time for only 30 seconds, so you never face a backlog of battles after a long stretch.
Pokémon-style collection gameplay
You can catch, level, evolve, and battle with the original 151, complete with real base stats and movesets.
Learning or testing Claude Code plugins
The install process is scripted and transparent, making it a good example of a local plugin setup.
Customization and tinkering
A clone-based install path lets you hack on the code directly if you want to modify behavior.

Core Features

Step-based walking system
The walk only moves while Claude is working, so progress is tied to actual session activity, not just hitting enter.
Time-based step accrual
Every 20 seconds of Claude’s work adds another step, matching the part of the session you’re not actively typing.
Limited encounter window
Pokémon appear one at a time and wander off after 30 seconds, so long sessions don’t pile up pending battles.
Full original 151 roster
All Pokémon ship with real base stats, types, catch rates, and Red/Blue movesets.
Complete battle system
Battles include critical hits, the type chart, status conditions, PP, one-hit KOs, fleeing, and switching mid-fight.
Catching mechanics
Weakening a Pokémon and inflicting status conditions genuinely improve your catch chances.
Progression systems
Pokémon level up, learn moves, and evolve by level, giving long-term goals beyond simple collection.
Pokédex tracking
Seen and caught are tracked separately, and stats fill in for Pokémon you’ve caught.
Team management
View details, moves, and experience; change your lead Pokémon and access the box behind it.
Fully local operation
No account, no backend, and no data leaves your machine—everything runs on your own system.

Target users

claudemon is built for developers who already use Claude Code and want a fun, low-friction side activity during long coding sessions. It suits Pokémon fans, gamification enthusiasts, and anyone who likes having a small, passive reward loop running alongside their work. It also appeals to tinkerers who enjoy installing and customizing local tools, since the plugin is easy to set up and open to modification.

How to use claudemon?

The install process is fully scripted and requires no cloning. Inside Claude Code, run:/plugin marketplace add zamarrowski/claudemon

Then install the plugin:/plugin install claudemon@claudemon

Restart Claude Code so the plugin’s hooks load, then run the setup command:/claudemon-setup

This installs the claudemon command, the status line, and the sprites. Restart Claude Code once more to load the new status line. In a second terminal tab, run claudemon. The first time, it asks for a name and a starter Pokémon (Bulbasaur, Charmander, or Squirtle). After that, send a longish prompt in the Claude tab and watch the status line.

Requirements are minimal: Claude Code, Node.js 18+, and a truecolor terminal (iTerm2, Ghostty, WezTerm, Kitty, VS Code’s terminal, or macOS Terminal all work). The 151 Pokémon ship with the plugin, so the only download is the sprites—about 1.2 MB. Updating and uninstalling instructions are in the README.

Effect review

claudemon is a well-scoped novelty that does exactly what it promises: it turns waiting time into a lightweight game without adding friction to your actual work. The step system is cleverly tied to Claude’s processing time, so it rewards patience rather than interrupting you. The battle and catching mechanics are surprisingly deep for a terminal toy, with real stats, status conditions, and evolution. The local-only design is a strong privacy plus, and the install process is straightforward for anyone already using Claude Code. It won’t change how you code, but it makes the idle moments a lot more fun.

claudemon