Time Machine
Draw the session as a timeline and fork from any point.
Illustration. Actual results depend on the mod, terminal and environment.
Install
Installation is unusual; follow the original author’s instructions
Read the author’s instructions ↗What it accesses
Based on the author’s documentation, checked when listed; use claude plugin validate to check for yourself.
Reads
YesReads the session transcript jsonl, HOME/CLAUDE_CONFIG_DIR, and the whole working tree via git for snapshots.
Writes files
YesWrites the cut session file and creates git snapshot refs, a worktree and a branch.
Runs commands
YesRuns git; on macOS also uname, osascript and claude --desktop --resume.
Network
UnspecifiedAuthor says no network, but the README's process claim contradicts the code; forking launches claude to resume.
Introduction
Time Machine is a Claude Code function-hooks mod from claude-code-templates. /timemachine opens a pane that draws the session transcript as a timeline of prompts, tool calls and turn ends. Pick a point and type a new instruction: it cuts a copy of the session there under a new id and gives you the claude --resume command; the current session is untouched.
- While loaded it snapshots the working tree with a throwaway git index (before each prompt, after Edit/Write/Bash, at turn end); a fork restores the files into a separate worktree on branch
time-machine/<id>. - Author-listed limits: macOS-only auto-open; file snapshots only in git projects; points before the mod loaded fork the conversation only; transcripts over 4 MiB cannot be read.
- The README says no process spawn, but the code calls git, osascript and
claude --desktop; access notes follow the code.
Install via npx. Not run by us; the preview is illustrative.
Who it is for
- People who want to retry a session from the middle
- Developers keeping several experimental branches in a big refactor
Requirements
- Claude Code ≥ 2.1.287
- Install: npx claude-code-templates@latest --mod productivity/session-time-machine
- Auto-opening a fork is macOS only; elsewhere the command is copied.
- File snapshots need a git project and points after the mod loaded.