A model which completely describes the Cu/CuCl double pulse laser is presented. The dissociation discharge pulse and afterglow are simulated and the results are used as initial conditions for an analysis of the pumping discharge pulse and laser pulse. Experimental behavior including the minimum, optimum, and maximum delays between pulses, and the dependence of laser pulse energy on dissociation energy are satisfactorily reproduced. An optimum tube temperature is calculated, and the dependence of laser pulse energy on tube temperature (i.e., CuCl vapor pressure) is explained for the first time.