Consumers are using artificial intelligence coding software to transform sluggish, ad-laden smart televisions into faster, simpler, and more private systems. By stripping away unwanted programs, blocking tracking utilities, and substituting cluttered home menus, people make their screens simpler to operate while keeping necessary streaming software.
Several initiatives have surfaced to assist people in executing these modifications, whereas other individuals direct artificial intelligence assistants to alter their televisions directly. Yet, the procedure remains experimental and may trigger software issues if an artificial intelligence utility deactivates a critical component.
According to TechCrunch, these actions are gaining accessibility as artificial intelligence programming assistants help individuals personalize their screens without deep programming expertise.
Artificial Intelligence Simplifies Smart Televisions
One open-source initiative, dumbtv, works to strip screens of preinstalled commercials, viewing surveillance, and unwanted updates, leaving consumers with preferred programs and HDMI inputs.
A separate initiative, cleanyourtv, removes non-essential software from Android TV and Google TV hardware over Wi-Fi. It can also swap the default home interface for a simpler layout resembling Apple TV.
While altering consumer electronics is not novel, artificial intelligence programming tools simplify device personalization for the public. The movement also mirrors rising annoyance regarding smart TV commercials and surveillance.
Numerous contemporary screens deploy automatic content recognition to detect viewing habits via screenshots, audio clips, and alternative digital identifiers. This data can support targeted commercials and other commercial objectives.
introducing dumbtv
– no spying
– no ads from tv
– fully customisableto setup just point your agent to this repo – https://t.co/prQLD17Wa4 https://t.co/z41SWJZVXt pic.twitter.com/c6R8EhljiA
— Muzzammil (@DevMuzzammil) October 18, 2026
Claude Code Sparks The Movement
The creator of cleanyourtv, Gathin T., stated he launched the undertaking after growing frustrated by commercials on his parents television.
He instructed Claude Code to clean the television over Wi-Fi and construct a basic home menu holding only their programs. Following the publication of the prompt and sharing before-and-after outcomes, he noted that thousands of individuals tested comparable alterations on screens from Xiaomi, TCL, Sony, Fire TV, and LG, alongside certain projectors.
The procedure bypasses the need for root access and permits consumers to revert their screens to original factory settings.
Vibe coded my parents' TV this afternoon!
It was showing a sponsored ad before you could even get to Netflix.
Gave Claude Code the model number, it found the TV on wifi, removed 25 Xiaomi packages and wrote a new launcher.
Looks like an Apple TV now lol pic.twitter.com/E5Q4A1b0yI
— Gathin (Ø,G) (@gathint) October 17, 2026
Another Initiative Uses DeepSeek And Claude
Programmer Muzzammil Yasin Sabuwala developed dumbtv following exhaustion over commercials and the difficulty of reaching desired content directly.
He informed TechCrunch that he constructed the undertaking via DeepSeek V4.1 Flash, Claude Opus 5.5, and Claude Sonnet 5.5.
The initiative underwent testing on a Fire TV Edition screen as well as Android TV and Google TV hardware from Sony, TCL, Philips, Hisense, Xiaomi, and Nvidia Shield.
Sabuwala advises directing an artificial intelligence programming agent to the dumbtv GitHub repository to begin. He also intends to maintain the initiative and incorporate support for additional models.
Certain Consumers Let Artificial Intelligence Modify TVs
Not every individual depends on dedicated initiatives to simplify their screens.
Within a viral post on X, Ryan Doyle reported that he supplied Claude Code with his television product listing and asked, “Can you hack this?”
He stated the artificial intelligence directed him through eliminating commercials and non-essential software, accelerating the interface, and personalizing the screensaver.
A separate X user, Mihir Gupta, stated he deployed Claude Code to deactivate 25 non-essential programs, substitute a 192MB stock launcher with an 83MB custom launcher, and incorporate rotating wallpapers.
This is how fast the TV moves now that Claude deleted all the BS laggy bloatware it comes with https://t.co/nUCEjqPwAO pic.twitter.com/g07CEgC1GJ
— Ryan Doyle (@doooyle) October 17, 2026
Artificial Intelligence Can Also Break Your TV
These alterations remain experimental, and consumers test them across diverse television platforms. Certain individuals noted challenges getting artificial intelligence assistants to comprehend basic requests without more thorough instructions.
More severely, artificial intelligence programming agents can commit errors when altering system software. Deactivating vital packages or services can render a television incapable of functioning correctly.
One consumer reported breaking an Android TV via Claude, whereas another stalled mid-modification on a Fire TV.
Consumers seeking to bypass these hazards can personalize Android-based screens via existing home menu replacements, featuring ATV Launcher, Projectivy Launcher, and FLauncher.