# How to Activate i-have-adhd Mode on Demand in Claude Code > Activate i-have-adhd mode in Claude Code instantly with a simple slash command or automatically by creating a config file. Learn how to toggle and enable this powerful feature for your workflow. - Repository: [Ayoub Ghriss/i-have-adhd](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd) - Tags: how-to-guide - Published: 2026-08-07 --- **You can activate i-have-adhd mode instantly by typing `/i-have-adhd` in Claude Code to toggle the state, use `/i-have-adhd on` for explicit activation, or create the file `~/.claude/.i-have-adhd-always` to enable the mode automatically for every session.** The i-have-adhd repository by ayghri provides a Claude Code plugin that modifies AI interaction patterns to better support users with ADHD. According to the source code in [`extensions/i-have-adhd.ts`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/extensions/i-have-adhd.ts), the plugin implements two distinct activation mechanisms: runtime slash commands for immediate control and filesystem flags for persistent configuration. ## Toggle Mode Instantly with the `/i-have-adhd` Command The primary interface for on-demand activation resides in [`extensions/i-have-adhd.ts`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/extensions/i-have-adhd.ts), which registers the `/i-have-adhd` slash command within Claude Code. This command provides flexible runtime control without requiring configuration file changes. ### Basic Toggle Syntax Running the command without arguments switches the current state from active to inactive or vice versa. This is useful when you need to quickly enable the specialized formatting for a specific task. ```bash /i-have-adhd ``` ### Explicit State Control To avoid ambiguity about the current state, the extension accepts explicit parameters. Append `on` to force activation or `off` to force deactivation for the remainder of the session. ```bash # Force enable i-have-adhd mode /i-have-adhd on # Force disable i-have-adhd mode /i-have-adhd off # Alternative syntax to stop the mode /i-have-adhd stop ``` The command also supports the built-in alias `/skill:i-have-adhd`, which functions identically to the main command according to the implementation in [`extensions/i-have-adhd.ts`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/extensions/i-have-adhd.ts). ## Configure Automatic Session Activation For users who require the mode consistently, the repository provides SessionStart hooks that check for a hidden flag file before the first response. ### The Always-On Flag File The hooks located in [`hooks/always-on.sh`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/hooks/always-on.sh) (with PowerShell and Node.js variants in `hooks/always-on.ps1` and `hooks/always-on.mjs`) check for the existence of `$CLAUDE_CONFIG_DIR/.i-have-adhd-always`. By default, this resolves to `~/.claude/.i-have-adhd-always`. When present, the hook injects the full ruleset automatically. Create the flag file to enable persistent activation: ```bash # Unix/macOS touch ~/.claude/.i-have-adhd-always # Windows PowerShell New-Item -Path $env:CLAUDE_CONFIG_DIR\.i-have-adhd-always -ItemType File ``` ### Disabling Automatic Activation To revert to standard mode for future sessions, remove the flag file: ```bash rm ~/.claude/.i-have-adhd-always ``` The hook declaration in [`hooks/hooks.json`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/hooks/hooks.json) ensures this check runs during every Claude Code session initialization, making the mode active immediately upon startup without manual intervention. ## Deactivate Mode with Natural Language While the mode is active, the input listener defined in [`extensions/i-have-adhd.ts`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/extensions/i-have-adhd.ts) monitors for specific stop phrases. You can disable the mode mid-conversation by typing: - "stop adhd mode" - "normal mode" These phrases trigger immediate deactivation without requiring the slash command syntax, providing an intuitive exit mechanism documented in [`skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md). ## Summary - **Immediate activation**: Type `/i-have-adhd` to toggle, or `/i-have-adhd on` to force enable the mode for the current session. - **Persistent configuration**: Create `~/.claude/.i-have-adhd-always` to activate the mode automatically via the SessionStart hook in [`hooks/always-on.sh`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/hooks/always-on.sh). - **Natural deactivation**: Say "stop adhd mode" or "normal mode" to disable the plugin mid-conversation. - **Explicit control**: Use `/i-have-adhd off` or `/i-have-adhd stop` to force the mode off when needed. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How do I check if i-have-adhd mode is currently active? The plugin does not provide a direct status query command. According to [`extensions/i-have-adhd.ts`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/extensions/i-have-adhd.ts), running `/i-have-adhd` without arguments toggles the state, so you should use explicit commands (`/i-have-adhd on` or `/i-have-adhd off`) when you need predictable control rather than relying on toggle behavior. ### Can I use i-have-adhd mode on Windows? Yes. The repository includes cross-platform SessionStart hooks: [`hooks/always-on.sh`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/hooks/always-on.sh) for Unix-like systems, `hooks/always-on.ps1` for Windows PowerShell, and `hooks/always-on.mjs` for Node.js environments. The activation commands (`/i-have-adhd`) work identically across all platforms within Claude Code. ### What happens if I create the always-on flag but want to disable the mode temporarily? If `~/.claude/.i-have-adhd-always` exists, the mode will reactivate at the start of every new session. For temporary deactivation during a single session, use `/i-have-adhd off` or say "normal mode". To permanently disable automatic activation, delete the flag file using `rm ~/.claude/.i-have-adhd-always`. ### Where is the i-have-adhd skill definition stored? The human-readable skill description and persistence rules are documented in [`skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md), while the core command registration and logic reside in [`extensions/i-have-adhd.ts`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/extensions/i-have-adhd.ts). The SessionStart hooks that handle automatic activation are located in the `hooks/` directory alongside their configuration in [`hooks/hooks.json`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/hooks/hooks.json).