A methodology for AI-augmented finance and quantitative tool development.
Cognition Mate (认知伙伴) — 互帮互助，因缘合和，互相成就 Mutual help. Interdependent arising. Accomplishing together.
DRIVER guides you through six stages from concept to completion:
| Stage | Purpose | Iron Law |
|---|---|---|
| Define | Discover + define vision | No building without 分头研究 first |
| Represent | Plan part by part | Don't reinvent what exists |
| Implement | Build and run | Show don't tell |
| Validate | Cross-check your instruments | Known answers, reasonableness, edges, AI risks |
| Evolve | Package deliverable | Self-contained export |
| Reflect | Capture learnings | Document what didn't work |
AI is not a tool you command — it's a thinking partner.
- You bring: vision, domain expertise, judgment
- AI brings: patterns, research ability, heavy lifting on code
- Neither creates alone — meaning emerges from interaction
In Claude Code, run these two commands:
# Step 1: Add the DRIVER marketplace
/plugin marketplace add CinderZhang/driver-plugin# Step 2: Install the finance-driver plugin
/plugin install finance-driver@driverThen restart Claude Code to activate the plugin.
After restarting, run:
/finance-driver:helpYou should see the full DRIVER reference with all available skills.
If the plugin commands aren't available in your version of Claude Code, you can clone and reference the repo directly:
git clone https://github.com/CinderZhang/driver-plugin.git ~/.claude/plugins/driver-pluginThen add to your ~/.claude/settings.json:
{
"plugins": {
"driver-plugin": {
"source": "~/.claude/plugins/driver-plugin"
}
}
}Restart Claude Code after adding.
# Start Claude Code in your project directory
claude
# Initialize a DRIVER project
/finance-driver:init
# Check available commands
/finance-driver:help
# Begin with research and definition
/finance-driver:define| Skill | Purpose |
|---|---|
/finance-driver:init |
Initialize a new DRIVER project |
/finance-driver:status |
Show progress, suggest next step |
/finance-driver:help |
Full reference with Chinese term explanations |
/finance-driver:research |
Lightweight 分头研究 — find libraries, approaches, references anytime |
| Skill | Purpose |
|---|---|
/finance-driver:define |
Research and define product vision (开题调研) |
| Skill | Purpose |
|---|---|
/finance-driver:represent-roadmap |
Break into 3-5 buildable sections |
/finance-driver:represent-datamodel |
Define core entities |
/finance-driver:represent-tokens |
Choose colors and typography |
/finance-driver:represent-shell |
Design navigation shell |
/finance-driver:represent-section |
Spec a section |
| Skill | Purpose |
|---|---|
/finance-driver:implement-data |
Create sample data |
/finance-driver:implement-screen |
Build and run code |
| Skill | Purpose |
|---|---|
/finance-driver:validate |
Cross-check: known answers, reasonableness, edges, AI risks |
| Skill | Purpose |
|---|---|
/finance-driver:evolve |
Generate final export package |
| Skill | Purpose |
|---|---|
/finance-driver:reflect |
Capture learnings and tech stack lessons |
DRIVER recommends Python + Streamlit over TypeScript/React for analytical tools:
UI: Streamlit (or Dash/Panel)
Backend: FastAPI + Pydantic
Calculations: NumPy, Pandas, SciPy
Finance: numpy-financial, QuantLib
Data: See "Recommended Data Sources" below
Why Python?
- NumPy handles edge cases (safe division, vectorized ops)
- Pydantic validates inputs at boundaries
- No npm complexity, no TypeScript type juggling
- Better finance libraries
DRIVER builds tools with AI — your data source should work with LLMs, not against them.
| Provider | MCP Server | Best For | Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|
| financialdatasets.ai | Official | Fundamentals, SEC filings, prices | $0.01/req or $200/mo |
| Alpha Vantage | Official | Multi-asset, technicals, news | Free tier + paid |
| EODHD | Official | Global exchange coverage | Free tier + paid |
| Provider | MCP Server | Best For | Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Polygon.io | Experimental | Real-time tick data, options | Higher tier |
| S&P Global / Kensho | Claude integration | Institutional-grade fundamentals | Enterprise |
| Provider | Best For | Pricing |
|---|---|---|
| Financial Modeling Prep | All-in-one fundamentals + pricing | Free tier + paid |
| Bloomberg, Refinitiv, FactSet | Professional/institutional workflows | Enterprise |
| yfinance, FRED | Prototyping only — verify accuracy | Free |
- Built for LLMs — clean JSON,
llms.txtendpoint, AI agent examples - MCP-native — official server at
mcp.financialdatasets.ai/mcp, works with Claude out of the box - Direct sourcing — data from SEC/EDGAR, no middlemen or aggregators
- Developer accessible — pay-per-request from $0.01, no enterprise gatekeeping
- Ecosystem — open-source agent examples and datasets from the same team
When to look elsewhere: Real-time tick data → Polygon.io. Institutional-grade → S&P Global/Kensho. Global exchanges → EODHD. Prototyping only → yfinance (but verify everything).
| Project Type | Key Libraries | Data Source | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| DCF Valuation | numpy-financial | financialdatasets.ai | Damodaran |
| Portfolio Optimization | PyPortfolioOpt, cvxpy | financialdatasets.ai or Polygon.io | Markowitz |
| Factor Research | alphalens, statsmodels | WRDS, CRSP | Open Source Asset Pricing |
| Risk Analytics | scipy.stats, VaR/CVaR | financialdatasets.ai or Polygon.io | RiskMetrics |
| Data Pipeline | pandas, great_expectations | Multiple sources | ETL patterns |
| Term | Pinyin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 认知伙伴 | rèn zhī huǒ bàn | Cognition Mate — thinking partner |
| 互帮互助 | hù bāng hù zhù | Mutual help |
| 因缘合和 | yīn yuán hé hé | Interdependent arising |
| 互相成就 | hù xiāng chéng jiù | Accomplishing together |
| 开题调研 | kāi tí diào yán | Open the topic + research (DEFINE) |
| 分头研究 | fēn tóu yán jiū | Parallel research |
MIT License — See LICENSE file.
Issues and pull requests welcome. Please read the philosophy section first — contributions should align with the Cognition Mate approach.
DRIVER™ was created by Cinder Zhang and Leo Zhang.
Contact: zhangcinder@gmail.com
DRIVER™ is a development methodology, not financial software.
- This plugin provides a workflow framework for building tools — it does not execute trades, manage portfolios, or provide financial advice
- Any financial tools you build using DRIVER require your own validation and testing
- The authors assume no liability for financial decisions made using tools developed with this methodology
- This is not investment advice — consult qualified financial professionals for investment decisions
- Sample code and examples are for educational purposes only
By using this plugin, you acknowledge that:
- You are responsible for validating any financial calculations in tools you build
- You understand the risks of financial software development
- You will not hold the authors liable for any financial losses
DRIVER™ was developed through the practice it teaches — human vision and AI collaboration, accomplishing together.