Minimal Claude Code alternative. Single Python file, zero dependencies, ~250 lines.

nanocode

Minimal Claude Code alternative. Single Python file, zero dependencies, ~250 lines.

Built using Claude Code, then used to build itself.

screenshot

Features

Full agentic loop with tool use
Tools: read, write, edit, glob, grep, bash
Conversation history
Colored terminal output

Usage

export ANTHROPIC_API_KEY="your-key"
python nanocode.py

OpenRouter

Use OpenRouter to access any model:

export OPENROUTER_API_KEY="your-key"
python nanocode.py

To use a different model:

export OPENROUTER_API_KEY="your-key"
export MODEL="openai/gpt-5.2"
python nanocode.py

Commands

/c - Clear conversation
/q or exit - Quit

Tools

Tool	Description
`read`	Read file with line numbers, offset/limit
`write`	Write content to file
`edit`	Replace string in file (must be unique)
`glob`	Find files by pattern, sorted by mtime
`grep`	Search files for regex
`bash`	Run shell command

Example

────────────────────────────────────────
❯ what files are here?
────────────────────────────────────────

⏺ Glob(**/*.py)
  ⎿  nanocode.py

⏺ There's one Python file: nanocode.py

License

MIT