diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 9384139..6de1f93 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ Fence wraps commands in a sandbox that blocks network access by default and rest
 - **Violation Monitoring**: Real-time logging of blocked requests and sandbox denials
 - **Cross-Platform**: macOS (sandbox-exec) and Linux (bubblewrap)
 - **HTTP/SOCKS5 Proxies**: Built-in filtering proxies for domain control
+- **Permission Import**: Using Claude Code? Import your Claude permissions as Fence configs with `fence import --claude -o ~/.fence.json`
 
 You can use Fence as a Go package or CLI tool.
 
@@ -96,6 +97,9 @@ Flags:
   -t, --template   Use built-in template (e.g., code, local-dev-server)
   -v, --version    Show version information
   -h, --help       Help for fence
+
+Subcommands:
+  import           Import settings from other tools (e.g., --claude for Claude Code)
 ```
 
 ### Examples
@@ -131,6 +135,9 @@ fence -m npm install
 
 # Expose a port for inbound connections
 fence -p 3000 -c "npm run dev"
+
+# Import settings from Claude Code
+fence import --claude -o .fence.json
 ```
 
 ## Library Usage
diff --git a/cmd/fence/main.go b/cmd/fence/main.go
index 71151a5..c806bb3 100644
--- a/cmd/fence/main.go
+++ b/cmd/fence/main.go
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ import (
 	"syscall"
 
 	"github.com/Use-Tusk/fence/internal/config"
+	"github.com/Use-Tusk/fence/internal/importer"
 	"github.com/Use-Tusk/fence/internal/platform"
 	"github.com/Use-Tusk/fence/internal/sandbox"
 	"github.com/Use-Tusk/fence/internal/templates"
@@ -100,6 +101,8 @@ Configuration file format (~/.fence.json):
 
 	rootCmd.Flags().SetInterspersed(true)
 
+	rootCmd.AddCommand(newImportCmd())
+
 	if err := rootCmd.Execute(); err != nil {
 		fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "Error: %v\n", err)
 		exitCode = 1
@@ -293,6 +296,101 @@ func runCommand(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
+// newImportCmd creates the import subcommand.
+func newImportCmd() *cobra.Command {
+	var (
+		claudeMode bool
+		inputFile  string
+		outputFile string
+		extendTmpl string
+		noExtend   bool
+	)
+
+	cmd := &cobra.Command{
+		Use:   "import",
+		Short: "Import settings from other tools",
+		Long: `Import permission settings from other tools and convert them to fence config.
+
+Currently supported sources:
+  --claude    Import from Claude Code settings
+
+By default, imports extend the "code" template which provides sensible defaults
+for network access (npm, GitHub, LLM providers) and filesystem protections.
+Use --no-extend for a minimal config, or --extend to choose a different template.
+
+Examples:
+  # Import from default Claude Code settings (~/.claude/settings.json)
+  fence import --claude
+
+  # Import from a specific Claude Code settings file
+  fence import --claude -f ~/.claude/settings.json
+
+  # Import and write to a specific output file
+  fence import --claude -o .fence.json
+
+  # Import without extending any template (minimal config)
+  fence import --claude --no-extend
+
+  # Import and extend a different template
+  fence import --claude --extend local-dev-server
+
+  # Import from project-level Claude settings
+  fence import --claude -f .claude/settings.local.json -o .fence.json`,
+		RunE: func(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
+			if !claudeMode {
+				return fmt.Errorf("no import source specified. Use --claude to import from Claude Code")
+			}
+
+			opts := importer.DefaultImportOptions()
+			if noExtend {
+				opts.Extends = ""
+			} else if extendTmpl != "" {
+				opts.Extends = extendTmpl
+			}
+
+			result, err := importer.ImportFromClaude(inputFile, opts)
+			if err != nil {
+				return fmt.Errorf("failed to import Claude settings: %w", err)
+			}
+
+			for _, warning := range result.Warnings {
+				fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "Warning: %s\n", warning)
+			}
+
+			if outputFile != "" {
+				if err := importer.WriteConfig(result.Config, outputFile); err != nil {
+					return err
+				}
+				fmt.Printf("Imported %d rules from %s\n", result.RulesImported, result.SourcePath)
+				fmt.Printf("Written to %s\n", outputFile)
+			} else {
+				// Print clean JSON to stdout, helpful info to stderr (don't interfere with piping)
+				data, err := importer.MarshalConfigJSON(result.Config)
+				if err != nil {
+					return fmt.Errorf("failed to marshal config: %w", err)
+				}
+				fmt.Println(string(data))
+				if result.Config.Extends != "" {
+					fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "\n# Extends %q - inherited rules not shown\n", result.Config.Extends)
+				}
+				fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "# Imported %d rules from %s\n", result.RulesImported, result.SourcePath)
+				fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "# Use -o <file> to write to a file (includes comments)\n")
+			}
+
+			return nil
+		},
+	}
+
+	cmd.Flags().BoolVar(&claudeMode, "claude", false, "Import from Claude Code settings")
+	cmd.Flags().StringVarP(&inputFile, "file", "f", "", "Path to settings file (default: ~/.claude/settings.json for --claude)")
+	cmd.Flags().StringVarP(&outputFile, "output", "o", "", "Output file path (default: stdout)")
+	cmd.Flags().StringVar(&extendTmpl, "extend", "", "Template to extend (default: code)")
+	cmd.Flags().BoolVar(&noExtend, "no-extend", false, "Don't extend any template (minimal config)")
+	cmd.MarkFlagsMutuallyExclusive("extend", "no-extend")
+
+	return cmd
+}
+
 // printTemplates prints all available templates to stdout.
 func printTemplates() {
 	fmt.Println("Available templates:")
diff --git a/docs/configuration.md b/docs/configuration.md
index 9427ddb..c736dec 100644
--- a/docs/configuration.md
+++ b/docs/configuration.md
@@ -164,6 +164,54 @@ Fence detects blocked commands in:
 |-------|-------------|
 | `allowPty` | Allow pseudo-terminal (PTY) allocation in the sandbox (for MacOS) |
 
+## Importing from Claude Code
+
+If you've been using Claude Code and have already built up permission rules, you can import them into fence:
+
+```bash
+# Import from default Claude Code settings (~/.claude/settings.json)
+fence import --claude
+
+# Import from a specific file
+fence import --claude -f ~/.claude/settings.json
+
+# Import and write to a specific output file
+fence import --claude -o .fence.json
+
+# Import without extending any template (minimal config)
+fence import --claude --no-extend
+
+# Import and extend a different template
+fence import --claude --extend local-dev-server
+
+# Import from project-level Claude settings
+fence import --claude -f .claude/settings.local.json -o .fence.json
+```
+
+### Default Template
+
+By default, imports extend the `code` template which provides sensible defaults:
+
+- Network access for npm, GitHub, LLM providers, etc.
+- Filesystem protections for secrets and sensitive paths
+- Command restrictions for dangerous operations
+
+Use `--no-extend` if you want a minimal config without these defaults, or `--extend <template>` to choose a different base template.
+
+### Permission Mapping
+
+| Claude Code | Fence |
+|-------------|-------|
+| `Bash(xyz)` allow | `command.allow: ["xyz"]` |
+| `Bash(xyz:*)` deny | `command.deny: ["xyz"]` |
+| `Read(path)` deny | `filesystem.denyRead: [path]` |
+| `Write(path)` allow | `filesystem.allowWrite: [path]` |
+| `Write(path)` deny | `filesystem.denyWrite: [path]` |
+| `Edit(path)` | Same as `Write(path)` |
+| `ask` rules | Converted to deny (fence doesn't support interactive prompts) |
+
+Global tool permissions (e.g., bare `Read`, `Write`, `Grep`) are skipped since fence uses path/command-based rules.
+
 ## See Also
 
 - Config templates: [`docs/templates/`](docs/templates/)
diff --git a/go.mod b/go.mod
index 7fcb2e8..3e6b94f 100644
--- a/go.mod
+++ b/go.mod
@@ -5,12 +5,16 @@ go 1.25
 require (
 	github.com/bmatcuk/doublestar/v4 v4.9.1
 	github.com/spf13/cobra v1.8.1
+	github.com/stretchr/testify v1.8.4
 	github.com/things-go/go-socks5 v0.0.5
 	github.com/tidwall/jsonc v0.3.2
 	golang.org/x/sys v0.39.0
 )
 
 require (
+	github.com/davecgh/go-spew v1.1.1 // indirect
 	github.com/inconshreveable/mousetrap v1.1.0 // indirect
+	github.com/pmezard/go-difflib v1.0.0 // indirect
 	github.com/spf13/pflag v1.0.5 // indirect
+	gopkg.in/yaml.v3 v3.0.1 // indirect
 )
diff --git a/go.sum b/go.sum
index a5f1eba..a2021a4 100644
--- a/go.sum
+++ b/go.sum
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ golang.org/x/net v0.20.0 h1:aCL9BSgETF1k+blQaYUBx9hJ9LOGP3gAVemcZlf1Kpo=
 golang.org/x/net v0.20.0/go.mod h1:z8BVo6PvndSri0LbOE3hAn0apkU+1YvI6E70E9jsnvY=
 golang.org/x/sys v0.39.0 h1:CvCKL8MeisomCi6qNZ+wbb0DN9E5AATixKsvNtMoMFk=
 golang.org/x/sys v0.39.0/go.mod h1:OgkHotnGiDImocRcuBABYBEXf8A9a87e/uXjp9XT3ks=
+gopkg.in/check.v1 v0.0.0-20161208181325-20d25e280405 h1:yhCVgyC4o1eVCa2tZl7eS0r+SDo693bJlVdllGtEeKM=
 gopkg.in/check.v1 v0.0.0-20161208181325-20d25e280405/go.mod h1:Co6ibVJAznAaIkqp8huTwlJQCZ016jof/cbN4VW5Yz0=
 gopkg.in/yaml.v3 v3.0.1 h1:fxVm/GzAzEWqLHuvctI91KS9hhNmmWOoWu0XTYJS7CA=
 gopkg.in/yaml.v3 v3.0.1/go.mod h1:K4uyk7z7BCEPqu6E+C64Yfv1cQ7kz7rIZviUmN+EgEM=
diff --git a/internal/importer/claude.go b/internal/importer/claude.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1459d9b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/internal/importer/claude.go
@@ -0,0 +1,444 @@
+// Package importer provides functionality to import settings from other tools.
+package importer
+
+import (
+	"encoding/json"
+	"fmt"
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"regexp"
+	"strings"
+
+	"github.com/Use-Tusk/fence/internal/config"
+	"github.com/tidwall/jsonc"
+)
+
+// ClaudeSettings represents the Claude Code settings.json structure.
+type ClaudeSettings struct {
+	Permissions ClaudePermissions `json:"permissions"`
+}
+
+// ClaudePermissions represents the permissions block in Claude Code settings.
+type ClaudePermissions struct {
+	Allow []string `json:"allow"`
+	Deny  []string `json:"deny"`
+	Ask   []string `json:"ask"`
+}
+
+// ClaudeSettingsPaths returns the standard paths where Claude Code stores settings.
+func ClaudeSettingsPaths() []string {
+	home, err := os.UserHomeDir()
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	paths := []string{
+		filepath.Join(home, ".claude", "settings.json"),
+	}
+
+	// Also check project-level settings in current directory
+	cwd, err := os.Getwd()
+	if err == nil {
+		paths = append(paths,
+			filepath.Join(cwd, ".claude", "settings.json"),
+			filepath.Join(cwd, ".claude", "settings.local.json"),
+		)
+	}
+
+	return paths
+}
+
+// DefaultClaudeSettingsPath returns the default user-level Claude settings path.
+func DefaultClaudeSettingsPath() string {
+	home, err := os.UserHomeDir()
+	if err != nil {
+		return ""
+	}
+	return filepath.Join(home, ".claude", "settings.json")
+}
+
+// LoadClaudeSettings loads Claude Code settings from a file.
+func LoadClaudeSettings(path string) (*ClaudeSettings, error) {
+	data, err := os.ReadFile(path) //nolint:gosec // user-provided path - intentional
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to read Claude settings: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	// Handle empty file
+	if len(strings.TrimSpace(string(data))) == 0 {
+		return &ClaudeSettings{}, nil
+	}
+
+	var settings ClaudeSettings
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(jsonc.ToJSON(data), &settings); err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("invalid JSON in Claude settings: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	return &settings, nil
+}
+
+// ConvertClaudeToFence converts Claude Code settings to a fence config.
+func ConvertClaudeToFence(settings *ClaudeSettings) *config.Config {
+	cfg := config.Default()
+
+	// Process allow rules
+	for _, rule := range settings.Permissions.Allow {
+		processClaudeRule(rule, cfg, true)
+	}
+
+	// Process deny rules
+	for _, rule := range settings.Permissions.Deny {
+		processClaudeRule(rule, cfg, false)
+	}
+
+	// Process ask rules (treat as deny for fence, since fence doesn't have interactive prompts)
+	// Users can review and move to allow if needed
+	for _, rule := range settings.Permissions.Ask {
+		processClaudeRule(rule, cfg, false)
+	}
+
+	return cfg
+}
+
+// bashPattern matches Bash permission rules like "Bash(npm run test:*)" or "Bash(curl:*)"
+var bashPattern = regexp.MustCompile(`^Bash\((.+)\)$`)
+
+// readPattern matches Read permission rules like "Read(./.env)" or "Read(./secrets/**)"
+var readPattern = regexp.MustCompile(`^Read\((.+)\)$`)
+
+// writePattern matches Write permission rules like "Write(./output/**)"
+var writePattern = regexp.MustCompile(`^Write\((.+)\)$`)
+
+// editPattern matches Edit permission rules (similar to Write)
+var editPattern = regexp.MustCompile(`^Edit\((.+)\)$`)
+
+// processClaudeRule processes a single Claude permission rule and updates the fence config.
+func processClaudeRule(rule string, cfg *config.Config, isAllow bool) {
+	rule = strings.TrimSpace(rule)
+	if rule == "" {
+		return
+	}
+
+	// Handle Bash(command) rules
+	if matches := bashPattern.FindStringSubmatch(rule); len(matches) == 2 {
+		cmd := normalizeClaudeCommand(matches[1])
+		if cmd != "" {
+			if isAllow {
+				cfg.Command.Allow = appendUnique(cfg.Command.Allow, cmd)
+			} else {
+				cfg.Command.Deny = appendUnique(cfg.Command.Deny, cmd)
+			}
+		}
+		return
+	}
+
+	// Handle Read(path) rules
+	if matches := readPattern.FindStringSubmatch(rule); len(matches) == 2 {
+		path := normalizeClaudePath(matches[1])
+		if path != "" {
+			if !isAllow {
+				// Read deny -> filesystem.denyRead
+				cfg.Filesystem.DenyRead = appendUnique(cfg.Filesystem.DenyRead, path)
+			}
+			// Note: fence doesn't have an "allowRead" concept - everything is readable by default
+		}
+		return
+	}
+
+	// Handle Write(path) rules
+	if matches := writePattern.FindStringSubmatch(rule); len(matches) == 2 {
+		path := normalizeClaudePath(matches[1])
+		if path != "" {
+			if isAllow {
+				cfg.Filesystem.AllowWrite = appendUnique(cfg.Filesystem.AllowWrite, path)
+			} else {
+				cfg.Filesystem.DenyWrite = appendUnique(cfg.Filesystem.DenyWrite, path)
+			}
+		}
+		return
+	}
+
+	// Handle Edit(path) rules (same as Write)
+	if matches := editPattern.FindStringSubmatch(rule); len(matches) == 2 {
+		path := normalizeClaudePath(matches[1])
+		if path != "" {
+			if isAllow {
+				cfg.Filesystem.AllowWrite = appendUnique(cfg.Filesystem.AllowWrite, path)
+			} else {
+				cfg.Filesystem.DenyWrite = appendUnique(cfg.Filesystem.DenyWrite, path)
+			}
+		}
+		return
+	}
+
+	// Handle bare tool names (e.g., "Read", "Write", "Bash")
+	// These are global permissions that don't map directly to fence's path-based model
+	// We skip them as they don't provide actionable path/command restrictions
+}
+
+// normalizeClaudeCommand converts Claude's command format to fence format.
+// Claude uses "npm:*" style, fence uses "npm" for prefix matching.
+func normalizeClaudeCommand(cmd string) string {
+	cmd = strings.TrimSpace(cmd)
+
+	// Handle wildcard patterns like "npm:*" -> "npm"
+	// Claude uses ":" as separator, fence uses space-separated commands
+	// Also handles "npm run test:*" -> "npm run test"
+	cmd = strings.TrimSuffix(cmd, ":*")
+
+	return cmd
+}
+
+// normalizeClaudePath converts Claude's path format to fence format.
+func normalizeClaudePath(path string) string {
+	path = strings.TrimSpace(path)
+
+	// Claude uses ./ prefix for relative paths, fence doesn't require it
+	// but fence does support it, so we can keep it
+
+	// Convert ** glob patterns - both Claude and fence support these
+	// No conversion needed
+
+	return path
+}
+
+// appendUnique appends a value to a slice if it's not already present.
+func appendUnique(slice []string, value string) []string {
+	for _, v := range slice {
+		if v == value {
+			return slice
+		}
+	}
+	return append(slice, value)
+}
+
+// ImportResult contains the result of an import operation.
+type ImportResult struct {
+	Config        *config.Config
+	SourcePath    string
+	RulesImported int
+	Warnings      []string
+}
+
+// ImportOptions configures the import behavior.
+type ImportOptions struct {
+	// Extends specifies a template or file to extend. Empty string means no extends.
+	Extends string
+}
+
+// DefaultImportOptions returns the default import options.
+// By default, imports extend the "code" template for sensible defaults.
+func DefaultImportOptions() ImportOptions {
+	return ImportOptions{
+		Extends: "code",
+	}
+}
+
+// ImportFromClaude imports settings from Claude Code and returns a fence config.
+// If path is empty, it tries the default Claude settings path.
+func ImportFromClaude(path string, opts ImportOptions) (*ImportResult, error) {
+	if path == "" {
+		path = DefaultClaudeSettingsPath()
+	}
+
+	if path == "" {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("could not determine Claude settings path")
+	}
+
+	settings, err := LoadClaudeSettings(path)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+
+	cfg := ConvertClaudeToFence(settings)
+
+	// Set extends if specified
+	if opts.Extends != "" {
+		cfg.Extends = opts.Extends
+	}
+
+	result := &ImportResult{
+		Config:     cfg,
+		SourcePath: path,
+		RulesImported: len(settings.Permissions.Allow) +
+			len(settings.Permissions.Deny) +
+			len(settings.Permissions.Ask),
+	}
+
+	// Add warnings for rules that couldn't be fully converted
+	for _, rule := range settings.Permissions.Allow {
+		if isGlobalToolRule(rule) {
+			result.Warnings = append(result.Warnings,
+				fmt.Sprintf("Global tool permission %q skipped (fence uses path/command-based rules)", rule))
+		}
+	}
+	for _, rule := range settings.Permissions.Deny {
+		if isGlobalToolRule(rule) {
+			result.Warnings = append(result.Warnings,
+				fmt.Sprintf("Global tool permission %q skipped (fence uses path/command-based rules)", rule))
+		}
+	}
+	for _, rule := range settings.Permissions.Ask {
+		if isGlobalToolRule(rule) {
+			result.Warnings = append(result.Warnings,
+				fmt.Sprintf("Global tool permission %q skipped (fence uses path/command-based rules)", rule))
+		} else {
+			result.Warnings = append(result.Warnings,
+				fmt.Sprintf("Ask rule %q converted to deny (fence doesn't support interactive prompts)", rule))
+		}
+	}
+
+	return result, nil
+}
+
+// isGlobalToolRule checks if a rule is a global tool permission (no path/command specified).
+func isGlobalToolRule(rule string) bool {
+	rule = strings.TrimSpace(rule)
+	// Global rules are bare tool names without parentheses
+	return !strings.Contains(rule, "(")
+}
+
+// cleanNetworkConfig is used for JSON output with omitempty to skip empty fields.
+type cleanNetworkConfig struct {
+	AllowedDomains      []string `json:"allowedDomains,omitempty"`
+	DeniedDomains       []string `json:"deniedDomains,omitempty"`
+	AllowUnixSockets    []string `json:"allowUnixSockets,omitempty"`
+	AllowAllUnixSockets bool     `json:"allowAllUnixSockets,omitempty"`
+	AllowLocalBinding   bool     `json:"allowLocalBinding,omitempty"`
+	AllowLocalOutbound  *bool    `json:"allowLocalOutbound,omitempty"`
+	HTTPProxyPort       int      `json:"httpProxyPort,omitempty"`
+	SOCKSProxyPort      int      `json:"socksProxyPort,omitempty"`
+}
+
+// cleanFilesystemConfig is used for JSON output with omitempty to skip empty fields.
+type cleanFilesystemConfig struct {
+	DenyRead       []string `json:"denyRead,omitempty"`
+	AllowWrite     []string `json:"allowWrite,omitempty"`
+	DenyWrite      []string `json:"denyWrite,omitempty"`
+	AllowGitConfig bool     `json:"allowGitConfig,omitempty"`
+}
+
+// cleanCommandConfig is used for JSON output with omitempty to skip empty fields.
+type cleanCommandConfig struct {
+	Deny        []string `json:"deny,omitempty"`
+	Allow       []string `json:"allow,omitempty"`
+	UseDefaults *bool    `json:"useDefaults,omitempty"`
+}
+
+// cleanConfig is used for JSON output with fields in desired order and omitempty.
+type cleanConfig struct {
+	Extends    string                 `json:"extends,omitempty"`
+	AllowPty   bool                   `json:"allowPty,omitempty"`
+	Network    *cleanNetworkConfig    `json:"network,omitempty"`
+	Filesystem *cleanFilesystemConfig `json:"filesystem,omitempty"`
+	Command    *cleanCommandConfig    `json:"command,omitempty"`
+}
+
+// MarshalConfigJSON marshals a fence config to clean JSON, omitting empty arrays
+// and with fields in a logical order (extends first).
+func MarshalConfigJSON(cfg *config.Config) ([]byte, error) {
+	clean := cleanConfig{
+		Extends:  cfg.Extends,
+		AllowPty: cfg.AllowPty,
+	}
+
+	// Network config - only include if non-empty
+	network := cleanNetworkConfig{
+		AllowedDomains:      cfg.Network.AllowedDomains,
+		DeniedDomains:       cfg.Network.DeniedDomains,
+		AllowUnixSockets:    cfg.Network.AllowUnixSockets,
+		AllowAllUnixSockets: cfg.Network.AllowAllUnixSockets,
+		AllowLocalBinding:   cfg.Network.AllowLocalBinding,
+		AllowLocalOutbound:  cfg.Network.AllowLocalOutbound,
+		HTTPProxyPort:       cfg.Network.HTTPProxyPort,
+		SOCKSProxyPort:      cfg.Network.SOCKSProxyPort,
+	}
+	if !isNetworkEmpty(network) {
+		clean.Network = &network
+	}
+
+	// Filesystem config - only include if non-empty
+	filesystem := cleanFilesystemConfig{
+		DenyRead:       cfg.Filesystem.DenyRead,
+		AllowWrite:     cfg.Filesystem.AllowWrite,
+		DenyWrite:      cfg.Filesystem.DenyWrite,
+		AllowGitConfig: cfg.Filesystem.AllowGitConfig,
+	}
+	if !isFilesystemEmpty(filesystem) {
+		clean.Filesystem = &filesystem
+	}
+
+	// Command config - only include if non-empty
+	command := cleanCommandConfig{
+		Deny:        cfg.Command.Deny,
+		Allow:       cfg.Command.Allow,
+		UseDefaults: cfg.Command.UseDefaults,
+	}
+	if !isCommandEmpty(command) {
+		clean.Command = &command
+	}
+
+	return json.MarshalIndent(clean, "", "  ")
+}
+
+func isNetworkEmpty(n cleanNetworkConfig) bool {
+	return len(n.AllowedDomains) == 0 &&
+		len(n.DeniedDomains) == 0 &&
+		len(n.AllowUnixSockets) == 0 &&
+		!n.AllowAllUnixSockets &&
+		!n.AllowLocalBinding &&
+		n.AllowLocalOutbound == nil &&
+		n.HTTPProxyPort == 0 &&
+		n.SOCKSProxyPort == 0
+}
+
+func isFilesystemEmpty(f cleanFilesystemConfig) bool {
+	return len(f.DenyRead) == 0 &&
+		len(f.AllowWrite) == 0 &&
+		len(f.DenyWrite) == 0 &&
+		!f.AllowGitConfig
+}
+
+func isCommandEmpty(c cleanCommandConfig) bool {
+	return len(c.Deny) == 0 &&
+		len(c.Allow) == 0 &&
+		c.UseDefaults == nil
+}
+
+// FormatConfigWithComment returns the config JSON with a comment header
+// explaining that values are inherited from the extended template.
+func FormatConfigWithComment(cfg *config.Config) (string, error) {
+	data, err := MarshalConfigJSON(cfg)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+
+	var output strings.Builder
+
+	// Add comment about inherited values if extending a template
+	if cfg.Extends != "" {
+		output.WriteString(fmt.Sprintf("// This config extends %q.\n", cfg.Extends))
+		output.WriteString(fmt.Sprintf("// Network, filesystem, and command rules from %q are inherited.\n", cfg.Extends))
+		output.WriteString("// Only your additional rules are shown below.\n")
+		output.WriteString("// Run `fence --list-templates` to see available templates.\n")
+	}
+
+	output.Write(data)
+	output.WriteByte('\n')
+
+	return output.String(), nil
+}
+
+// WriteConfig writes a fence config to a file.
+func WriteConfig(cfg *config.Config, path string) error {
+	output, err := FormatConfigWithComment(cfg)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to marshal config: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	if err := os.WriteFile(path, []byte(output), 0o644); err != nil { //nolint:gosec // config file permissions
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to write config: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	return nil
+}
diff --git a/internal/importer/claude_test.go b/internal/importer/claude_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d993d88
--- /dev/null
+++ b/internal/importer/claude_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,581 @@
+package importer
+
+import (
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/Use-Tusk/fence/internal/config"
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
+)
+
+func TestConvertClaudeToFence(t *testing.T) {
+	tests := []struct {
+		name     string
+		settings *ClaudeSettings
+		wantCmd  struct {
+			allow []string
+			deny  []string
+		}
+		wantFS struct {
+			denyRead   []string
+			allowWrite []string
+			denyWrite  []string
+		}
+	}{
+		{
+			name: "empty settings",
+			settings: &ClaudeSettings{
+				Permissions: ClaudePermissions{},
+			},
+			wantCmd: struct {
+				allow []string
+				deny  []string
+			}{},
+			wantFS: struct {
+				denyRead   []string
+				allowWrite []string
+				denyWrite  []string
+			}{},
+		},
+		{
+			name: "bash allow rules",
+			settings: &ClaudeSettings{
+				Permissions: ClaudePermissions{
+					Allow: []string{
+						"Bash(npm run lint)",
+						"Bash(npm run test:*)",
+						"Bash(git status)",
+					},
+				},
+			},
+			wantCmd: struct {
+				allow []string
+				deny  []string
+			}{
+				allow: []string{"npm run lint", "npm run test", "git status"},
+			},
+		},
+		{
+			name: "bash deny rules",
+			settings: &ClaudeSettings{
+				Permissions: ClaudePermissions{
+					Deny: []string{
+						"Bash(curl:*)",
+						"Bash(sudo:*)",
+						"Bash(rm -rf /)",
+					},
+				},
+			},
+			wantCmd: struct {
+				allow []string
+				deny  []string
+			}{
+				deny: []string{"curl", "sudo", "rm -rf /"},
+			},
+		},
+		{
+			name: "read deny rules",
+			settings: &ClaudeSettings{
+				Permissions: ClaudePermissions{
+					Deny: []string{
+						"Read(./.env)",
+						"Read(./secrets/**)",
+						"Read(~/.ssh/*)",
+					},
+				},
+			},
+			wantFS: struct {
+				denyRead   []string
+				allowWrite []string
+				denyWrite  []string
+			}{
+				denyRead: []string{"./.env", "./secrets/**", "~/.ssh/*"},
+			},
+		},
+		{
+			name: "write allow rules",
+			settings: &ClaudeSettings{
+				Permissions: ClaudePermissions{
+					Allow: []string{
+						"Write(./output/**)",
+						"Write(./build)",
+					},
+				},
+			},
+			wantFS: struct {
+				denyRead   []string
+				allowWrite []string
+				denyWrite  []string
+			}{
+				allowWrite: []string{"./output/**", "./build"},
+			},
+		},
+		{
+			name: "write deny rules",
+			settings: &ClaudeSettings{
+				Permissions: ClaudePermissions{
+					Deny: []string{
+						"Write(./.git/**)",
+						"Edit(./package-lock.json)",
+					},
+				},
+			},
+			wantFS: struct {
+				denyRead   []string
+				allowWrite []string
+				denyWrite  []string
+			}{
+				denyWrite: []string{"./.git/**", "./package-lock.json"},
+			},
+		},
+		{
+			name: "ask rules converted to deny",
+			settings: &ClaudeSettings{
+				Permissions: ClaudePermissions{
+					Ask: []string{
+						"Write(./config.json)",
+						"Bash(npm publish)",
+					},
+				},
+			},
+			wantCmd: struct {
+				allow []string
+				deny  []string
+			}{
+				deny: []string{"npm publish"},
+			},
+			wantFS: struct {
+				denyRead   []string
+				allowWrite []string
+				denyWrite  []string
+			}{
+				denyWrite: []string{"./config.json"},
+			},
+		},
+		{
+			name: "global tool rules are skipped",
+			settings: &ClaudeSettings{
+				Permissions: ClaudePermissions{
+					Allow: []string{
+						"Read",
+						"Grep",
+						"LS",
+						"Bash(npm run build)", // This should be included
+					},
+					Deny: []string{
+						"Edit",
+						"Bash(sudo:*)", // This should be included
+					},
+				},
+			},
+			wantCmd: struct {
+				allow []string
+				deny  []string
+			}{
+				allow: []string{"npm run build"},
+				deny:  []string{"sudo"},
+			},
+		},
+		{
+			name: "mixed rules",
+			settings: &ClaudeSettings{
+				Permissions: ClaudePermissions{
+					Allow: []string{
+						"Bash(npm install)",
+						"Bash(npm run:*)",
+						"Write(./dist/**)",
+					},
+					Deny: []string{
+						"Bash(curl:*)",
+						"Read(./.env)",
+						"Write(./.git/**)",
+					},
+					Ask: []string{
+						"Bash(git push)",
+					},
+				},
+			},
+			wantCmd: struct {
+				allow []string
+				deny  []string
+			}{
+				allow: []string{"npm install", "npm run"},
+				deny:  []string{"curl", "git push"},
+			},
+			wantFS: struct {
+				denyRead   []string
+				allowWrite []string
+				denyWrite  []string
+			}{
+				denyRead:   []string{"./.env"},
+				allowWrite: []string{"./dist/**"},
+				denyWrite:  []string{"./.git/**"},
+			},
+		},
+	}
+
+	for _, tt := range tests {
+		t.Run(tt.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			cfg := ConvertClaudeToFence(tt.settings)
+
+			assert.ElementsMatch(t, tt.wantCmd.allow, cfg.Command.Allow, "command.allow mismatch")
+			assert.ElementsMatch(t, tt.wantCmd.deny, cfg.Command.Deny, "command.deny mismatch")
+			assert.ElementsMatch(t, tt.wantFS.denyRead, cfg.Filesystem.DenyRead, "filesystem.denyRead mismatch")
+			assert.ElementsMatch(t, tt.wantFS.allowWrite, cfg.Filesystem.AllowWrite, "filesystem.allowWrite mismatch")
+			assert.ElementsMatch(t, tt.wantFS.denyWrite, cfg.Filesystem.DenyWrite, "filesystem.denyWrite mismatch")
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func TestNormalizeClaudeCommand(t *testing.T) {
+	tests := []struct {
+		input string
+		want  string
+	}{
+		{"npm:*", "npm"},
+		{"curl:*", "curl"},
+		{"npm run test:*", "npm run test"},
+		{"git status", "git status"},
+		{"sudo rm -rf", "sudo rm -rf"},
+		{"", ""},
+		{"  npm  ", "npm"},
+	}
+
+	for _, tt := range tests {
+		t.Run(tt.input, func(t *testing.T) {
+			got := normalizeClaudeCommand(tt.input)
+			assert.Equal(t, tt.want, got)
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func TestLoadClaudeSettings(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Run("valid settings", func(t *testing.T) {
+		tmpDir := t.TempDir()
+		settingsPath := filepath.Join(tmpDir, "settings.json")
+
+		content := `{
+  "permissions": {
+    "allow": ["Bash(npm install)", "Read"],
+    "deny": ["Bash(sudo:*)"],
+    "ask": ["Write"]
+  }
+}`
+		err := os.WriteFile(settingsPath, []byte(content), 0o600) //nolint:gosec // test file
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+
+		settings, err := LoadClaudeSettings(settingsPath)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+
+		assert.Equal(t, []string{"Bash(npm install)", "Read"}, settings.Permissions.Allow)
+		assert.Equal(t, []string{"Bash(sudo:*)"}, settings.Permissions.Deny)
+		assert.Equal(t, []string{"Write"}, settings.Permissions.Ask)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("settings with comments (JSONC)", func(t *testing.T) {
+		tmpDir := t.TempDir()
+		settingsPath := filepath.Join(tmpDir, "settings.json")
+
+		content := `{
+  // This is a comment
+  "permissions": {
+    "allow": ["Bash(npm install)"],
+    "deny": [], // Another comment
+    "ask": []
+  }
+}`
+		err := os.WriteFile(settingsPath, []byte(content), 0o600) //nolint:gosec // test file
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+
+		settings, err := LoadClaudeSettings(settingsPath)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+
+		assert.Equal(t, []string{"Bash(npm install)"}, settings.Permissions.Allow)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("empty file", func(t *testing.T) {
+		tmpDir := t.TempDir()
+		settingsPath := filepath.Join(tmpDir, "settings.json")
+
+		err := os.WriteFile(settingsPath, []byte(""), 0o600) //nolint:gosec // test file
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+
+		settings, err := LoadClaudeSettings(settingsPath)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		assert.NotNil(t, settings)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("file not found", func(t *testing.T) {
+		_, err := LoadClaudeSettings("/nonexistent/path/settings.json")
+		assert.Error(t, err)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("invalid json", func(t *testing.T) {
+		tmpDir := t.TempDir()
+		settingsPath := filepath.Join(tmpDir, "settings.json")
+
+		err := os.WriteFile(settingsPath, []byte("not json"), 0o600) //nolint:gosec // test file
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+
+		_, err = LoadClaudeSettings(settingsPath)
+		assert.Error(t, err)
+	})
+}
+
+func TestImportFromClaude(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Run("successful import with default extends", func(t *testing.T) {
+		tmpDir := t.TempDir()
+		settingsPath := filepath.Join(tmpDir, "settings.json")
+
+		content := `{
+  "permissions": {
+    "allow": ["Bash(npm install)", "Write(./dist/**)"],
+    "deny": ["Bash(curl:*)", "Read(./.env)"],
+    "ask": ["Bash(git push)"]
+  }
+}`
+		err := os.WriteFile(settingsPath, []byte(content), 0o600) //nolint:gosec // test file
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+
+		result, err := ImportFromClaude(settingsPath, DefaultImportOptions())
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+
+		assert.Equal(t, settingsPath, result.SourcePath)
+		assert.Equal(t, 5, result.RulesImported)
+		assert.Equal(t, "code", result.Config.Extends) // default extends
+
+		// Check converted config
+		assert.Contains(t, result.Config.Command.Allow, "npm install")
+		assert.Contains(t, result.Config.Command.Deny, "curl")
+		assert.Contains(t, result.Config.Command.Deny, "git push") // ask -> deny
+		assert.Contains(t, result.Config.Filesystem.AllowWrite, "./dist/**")
+		assert.Contains(t, result.Config.Filesystem.DenyRead, "./.env")
+	})
+
+	t.Run("import with no extend", func(t *testing.T) {
+		tmpDir := t.TempDir()
+		settingsPath := filepath.Join(tmpDir, "settings.json")
+
+		content := `{
+  "permissions": {
+    "allow": ["Bash(npm install)"],
+    "deny": [],
+    "ask": []
+  }
+}`
+		err := os.WriteFile(settingsPath, []byte(content), 0o600) //nolint:gosec // test file
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+
+		opts := ImportOptions{Extends: ""}
+		result, err := ImportFromClaude(settingsPath, opts)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+
+		assert.Equal(t, "", result.Config.Extends) // no extends
+		assert.Contains(t, result.Config.Command.Allow, "npm install")
+	})
+
+	t.Run("import with custom extend", func(t *testing.T) {
+		tmpDir := t.TempDir()
+		settingsPath := filepath.Join(tmpDir, "settings.json")
+
+		content := `{
+  "permissions": {
+    "allow": ["Bash(npm install)"],
+    "deny": [],
+    "ask": []
+  }
+}`
+		err := os.WriteFile(settingsPath, []byte(content), 0o600) //nolint:gosec // test file
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+
+		opts := ImportOptions{Extends: "local-dev-server"}
+		result, err := ImportFromClaude(settingsPath, opts)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+
+		assert.Equal(t, "local-dev-server", result.Config.Extends)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("warnings for global rules", func(t *testing.T) {
+		tmpDir := t.TempDir()
+		settingsPath := filepath.Join(tmpDir, "settings.json")
+
+		content := `{
+  "permissions": {
+    "allow": ["Read", "Grep", "Bash(npm install)"],
+    "deny": ["Edit"],
+    "ask": ["Write"]
+  }
+}`
+		err := os.WriteFile(settingsPath, []byte(content), 0o600) //nolint:gosec // test file
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+
+		result, err := ImportFromClaude(settingsPath, DefaultImportOptions())
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+
+		// Should have warnings for global rules: Read, Grep, Edit, Write (all global)
+		assert.Len(t, result.Warnings, 4)
+
+		// Verify the warnings mention the right rules
+		warningsStr := strings.Join(result.Warnings, " ")
+		assert.Contains(t, warningsStr, "Read")
+		assert.Contains(t, warningsStr, "Grep")
+		assert.Contains(t, warningsStr, "Edit")
+		assert.Contains(t, warningsStr, "Write")
+		assert.Contains(t, warningsStr, "skipped")
+	})
+}
+
+func TestWriteConfig(t *testing.T) {
+	tmpDir := t.TempDir()
+	outputPath := filepath.Join(tmpDir, "fence.json")
+
+	cfg := &config.Config{}
+	cfg.Command.Allow = []string{"npm install"}
+	cfg.Command.Deny = []string{"curl"}
+	cfg.Filesystem.DenyRead = []string{"./.env"}
+
+	err := WriteConfig(cfg, outputPath)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	// Verify the file was written correctly
+	data, err := os.ReadFile(outputPath) //nolint:gosec // test reads file we just wrote
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	assert.Contains(t, string(data), `"npm install"`)
+	assert.Contains(t, string(data), `"curl"`)
+	assert.Contains(t, string(data), `"./.env"`)
+}
+
+func TestMarshalConfigJSON(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Run("omits empty arrays", func(t *testing.T) {
+		cfg := &config.Config{}
+		cfg.Command.Allow = []string{"npm install"}
+		// Leave all other arrays empty
+
+		data, err := MarshalConfigJSON(cfg)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+
+		output := string(data)
+		assert.Contains(t, output, `"npm install"`)
+		assert.NotContains(t, output, `"allowedDomains"`)
+		assert.NotContains(t, output, `"deniedDomains"`)
+		assert.NotContains(t, output, `"denyRead"`)
+		assert.NotContains(t, output, `"allowWrite"`)
+		assert.NotContains(t, output, `"denyWrite"`)
+		assert.NotContains(t, output, `"network"`) // entire network section should be omitted
+	})
+
+	t.Run("includes extends field", func(t *testing.T) {
+		cfg := &config.Config{}
+		cfg.Extends = "code"
+		cfg.Command.Allow = []string{"npm install"}
+
+		data, err := MarshalConfigJSON(cfg)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+
+		output := string(data)
+		assert.Contains(t, output, `"extends": "code"`)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("includes non-empty arrays", func(t *testing.T) {
+		cfg := &config.Config{}
+		cfg.Network.AllowedDomains = []string{"example.com"}
+		cfg.Filesystem.DenyRead = []string{".env"}
+		cfg.Command.Deny = []string{"sudo"}
+
+		data, err := MarshalConfigJSON(cfg)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+
+		output := string(data)
+		assert.Contains(t, output, `"example.com"`)
+		assert.Contains(t, output, `".env"`)
+		assert.Contains(t, output, `"sudo"`)
+	})
+}
+
+func TestFormatConfigWithComment(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Run("adds comment when extends is set", func(t *testing.T) {
+		cfg := &config.Config{}
+		cfg.Extends = "code"
+		cfg.Command.Allow = []string{"npm install"}
+
+		output, err := FormatConfigWithComment(cfg)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+
+		assert.Contains(t, output, `// This config extends "code".`)
+		assert.Contains(t, output, `// Network, filesystem, and command rules from "code" are inherited.`)
+		assert.Contains(t, output, `"npm install"`)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("no comment when extends is empty", func(t *testing.T) {
+		cfg := &config.Config{}
+		cfg.Command.Allow = []string{"npm install"}
+
+		output, err := FormatConfigWithComment(cfg)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+
+		assert.NotContains(t, output, "//")
+		assert.Contains(t, output, `"npm install"`)
+	})
+}
+
+func TestIsGlobalToolRule(t *testing.T) {
+	tests := []struct {
+		rule     string
+		expected bool
+	}{
+		{"Read", true},
+		{"Write", true},
+		{"Grep", true},
+		{"LS", true},
+		{"Bash", true},
+		{"Read(./.env)", false},
+		{"Write(./dist/**)", false},
+		{"Bash(npm install)", false},
+		{"Bash(curl:*)", false},
+	}
+
+	for _, tt := range tests {
+		t.Run(tt.rule, func(t *testing.T) {
+			assert.Equal(t, tt.expected, isGlobalToolRule(tt.rule))
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func TestAppendUnique(t *testing.T) {
+	tests := []struct {
+		name     string
+		slice    []string
+		value    string
+		expected []string
+	}{
+		{
+			name:     "append to empty",
+			slice:    []string{},
+			value:    "a",
+			expected: []string{"a"},
+		},
+		{
+			name:     "append new value",
+			slice:    []string{"a", "b"},
+			value:    "c",
+			expected: []string{"a", "b", "c"},
+		},
+		{
+			name:     "skip duplicate",
+			slice:    []string{"a", "b"},
+			value:    "a",
+			expected: []string{"a", "b"},
+		},
+	}
+
+	for _, tt := range tests {
+		t.Run(tt.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			result := appendUnique(tt.slice, tt.value)
+			assert.Equal(t, tt.expected, result)
+		})
+	}
+}