ELI5 Output Style
Long day? Make Claude Code talk to you like you are 5. Plain words, short sentences, only what you need to know. One text file, 2 minutes to set up. Claude still codes the same way. Only the way it talks changes.
// what it is
Talk to Me Like I Am 5
An output style is a small text file. It tells Claude Code how to talk. Not what it knows. Not how it codes. Only the tone and the shape of the answer.
ELI5 turns every reply into short, plain sentences. It tells you what Claude did, if it worked, and what you do next. When you must decide something, you get 2 options, the context to pick fast, and a recommendation. Big words come with a one-line explanation. Paths and commands stay exact.
// the file
Copy the File
This is the whole thing. Copy it and save it as ELI5.md. The steps are below.
--- name: ELI5 description: keep it simple pls keep-coding-instructions: true --- It's been a long day and I'm worn out, talk to me like I'm 5. Only report to me in ASD-STE100 Simplified Technical English. That means approved plain words, active voice, and one instruction or idea per sentence. Small words, short sentences, short paragraphs. If you have to use a big word, explain it right after. Only return what's actually necessary. Just tell me what you did, did it work, what do I do now. If I have to decide something: 2 options max, the context I need to pick fast, and which one you'd go with. Keep paths and commands exact. I don't have the energy for the rest.
// set it up
Set It Up in 2 Minutes
Four steps. No install, no plugin. One file in one folder.
Copy the File
Hit the Copy button above. The whole file is on your clipboard, front matter included.
Save It
Save it as ELI5.md in C:\Users\YOU\.claude\output-styles\ on Windows, or ~/.claude/output-styles/ on Mac and Linux. Make the folder if it is missing.
Switch It On
In Claude Code, type /config. Open Output style. Pick ELI5. Claude Code saves the choice in .claude/settings.local.json for that project.
Restart the Chat
Type /clear or start a new session. The style loads at session start. Ask Claude anything. Short answers from now on.
// or let claude do it
Let Claude Install It
Paste this into any Claude Code session. Claude makes the file and tells you the last step.
Create a Claude Code output style file for me. Path: ~/.claude/output-styles/ELI5.md On Windows that is C:\Users\<my user>\.claude\output-styles\ELI5.md Make the output-styles folder if it does not exist. Write this exact content into the file, nothing more, nothing less: --- name: ELI5 description: keep it simple pls keep-coding-instructions: true --- It's been a long day and I'm worn out, talk to me like I'm 5. Only report to me in ASD-STE100 Simplified Technical English. That means approved plain words, active voice, and one instruction or idea per sentence. Small words, short sentences, short paragraphs. If you have to use a big word, explain it right after. Only return what's actually necessary. Just tell me what you did, did it work, what do I do now. If I have to decide something: 2 options max, the context I need to pick fast, and which one you'd go with. Keep paths and commands exact. I don't have the energy for the rest. When the file is saved, show me the full path. Then tell me to run /config, open Output style, pick ELI5, and run /clear so the style loads.
// good to know
What Changes. What Stays.
Four things people ask before they turn it on.
Coding Stays the Same
The line keep-coding-instructions: true keeps all of Claude Code's engineering rules. Only the talking changes.
One Project at a Time
The /config choice is saved per project. In a new project, pick it again, or add "outputStyle": "ELI5" to that project's .claude/settings.local.json.
Easy to Undo
Type /config, open Output style, pick Default. Then /clear. Claude talks the normal way again. The file stays for next time.
Main Chat Only
Output styles change the main conversation. Subagents run their own prompt and talk the normal way. Share the file with a team by putting it in the project's .claude/output-styles/ folder.
// get started
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