| name | trellis-start |
| 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. |
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.
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.
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.
python3 ./.trellis/scripts/get_context.py --mode packages
cat .trellis/spec/guides/index.md
cat .trellis/spec/<package>/<layer>/index.md
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:
Skill routing (quick reference)
| User intent | Skill |
|---|
| New feature / unclear requirements | trellis-brainstorm |
| About to write code | trellis-before-dev |
| Done coding / quality check | trellis-check |
| Stuck / fixed same bug multiple times | trellis-break-loop |
| Learned something worth capturing | trellis-update-spec |
Full rules + anti-rationalization table in .trellis/workflow.md.
