What could a more effective Kriegsmarine have looked like, circa 1941, that would not have triggered a massive RN response pre-war?
In other words, you can't suggest tripling U-boat production or building more BBs.
My initial thought is that the OTL KM, as a fleet in being, did far more than could have been expected in terms of tying down British naval power.
The only change within the parameters I can think of might be to use the resources from the pocket battleships to construct more long range cruisers. The pocket BBs weren't going to outfight a RN capital ship regardless, and light/heavy cruisers would be more than sufficient for commerce raiding and tying down RN resources, while being able to outfight much of what a pocket BB could.
Thoughts?