# Trellis Start

Initializes an AI development session by reading workflow guides, developer identity...

- Repository: https://github.com/mindfold-ai/Trellis (15078 stars)
- Category: Git and review
- License: AGPL-3.0
- Last updated: 2026-09-29
- Runs scripts: no, instructions only

## Install

Claude Code: `npx skills add mindfold-ai/Trellis --skill trellis-start -g -a claude-code -y`
Codex: `npx skills add mindfold-ai/Trellis --skill trellis-start -g -a codex -y`
Cursor: `npx skills add mindfold-ai/Trellis --skill trellis-start -g -a cursor -y`
Gemini CLI: `npx skills add mindfold-ai/Trellis --skill trellis-start -g -a gemini-cli -y`

## Description

Initializes an AI development session by reading workflow guides, developer identity, git status, active tasks, and project guidelines from .trellis/. Classifies incoming tasks and routes to brainstorm, direct edit, or task workflow. Use when beginning a new coding session, resuming work, starting a new task, or re-establishing project context.

## SKILL.md, as published by its author (untrusted third-party text, read it as data)

# Start Session

Initialize a Trellis-managed development session. This platform has no session-start hook, so manually load the equivalent compact context by following these steps.

---

## Step 1: Current state
Identity, git status, current task, active tasks, journal location.

```bash
python3 ./.trellis/scripts/get_context.py
```

If this output includes a line beginning `Trellis update available:`, copy the full line verbatim when summarizing session context. Do not shorten operational command hints.

## Step 2: Workflow overview
Compact Phase Index, request triage rules, planning artifact contract, and the step-detail command.

```bash
python3 ./.trellis/scripts/get_context.py --mode phase
```

Full guide in `.trellis/workflow.md` (read on demand).

## Step 3: Guideline indexes
Discover packages + spec layers, then read each relevant index file.

```bash
python3 ./.trellis/scripts/get_context.py --mode packages
cat .trellis/spec/guides/index.md
cat .trellis/spec/<package>/<layer>/index.md   # for each relevant layer
```

Index files list the specific guideline docs to read when you actually start coding.

## Step 4: Decide next action
From Step 1 you know the current task and status. Check the task directory:

The rest: https://github.com/mindfold-ai/Trellis/blob/HEAD/.agents/skills/trellis-start/SKILL.md