start

name	start
description	First-time onboarding — asks where you are, then guides you to the right workflow. No assumptions.
argument-hint	[no arguments]
user-invocable	true
allowed-tools	Read, Glob, Grep, AskUserQuestion

Guided Onboarding

This skill is the entry point for new users. It does NOT assume you have a game idea, an engine preference, or any prior experience. It asks first, then routes you to the right workflow.

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Workflow

1. Detect Project State (Silent)

Before asking anything, silently gather context so you can tailor your guidance. Do NOT show these results unprompted — they inform your recommendations, not the conversation opener.

Check:

• Engine configured? Read .claude/docs/technical-preferences.md. If the Engine field contains [TO BE CONFIGURED], the engine is not set.
• Game concept exists? Check for design/gdd/game-concept.md.
• Source code exists? Glob for source files in src/ (*.gd, *.cs, *.cpp, *.h, *.rs, *.py, *.js, *.ts).
• Prototypes exist? Check for subdirectories in prototypes/.
• Design docs exist? Count markdown files in design/gdd/.
• Production artifacts? Check for files in production/sprints/ or production/milestones/.

Store these findings internally. You will use them to validate the user's self-assessment and to tailor follow-up recommendations.

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2. Ask Where the User Is

This is the first thing the user sees. Present these 4 options clearly:

Welcome to Claude Code Game Studios!

Before I suggest anything, I'd like to understand where you're starting from. Where are you at with your game idea right now?

A) No idea yet — I don't have a game concept at all. I want to explore and figure out what to make.

B) Vague idea — I have a rough theme, feeling, or genre in mind (e.g., "something with space" or "a cozy farming game") but nothing concrete.

C) Clear concept — I know the core idea — genre, basic mechanics, maybe a pitch sentence — but haven't formalized it into documents yet.

D) Existing work — I already have design docs, prototypes, code, or significant planning done. I want to organize or continue the work.

Wait for the user's answer. Do not proceed until they respond.

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3. Route Based on Answer

If A: No idea yet

The user needs creative exploration before anything else. Engine choice, technical setup — all of that comes later.

1. Acknowledge that starting from zero is completely fine
2. Briefly explain what /brainstorm does (guided ideation using professional frameworks — MDA, player psychology, verb-first design)
3. Recommend running /brainstorm open as the next step
4. Show the recommended path:
   • /brainstorm — discover your game concept
   • /setup-engine — configure the engine (brainstorm will recommend one)
   • /map-systems — decompose the concept into systems and plan GDD writing order
   • /prototype — test the core mechanic
   • /sprint-plan — plan the first sprint

If B: Vague idea

The user has a seed but needs help growing it into a concept.

1. Ask them to share their vague idea — even a few words is enough
2. Validate the idea as a starting point (don't judge or redirect)
3. Recommend running /brainstorm [their hint] to develop it
4. Show the recommended path:
   • /brainstorm [hint] — develop the idea into a full concept
   • /setup-engine — configure the engine
   • /map-systems — decompose the concept into systems and plan GDD writing order
   • /prototype — test the core mechanic
   • /sprint-plan — plan the first sprint

If C: Clear concept

The user knows what they want to make but hasn't documented it.

1. Ask 2-3 follow-up questions to understand their concept:
   • What's the genre and core mechanic? (one sentence)
   • Do they have an engine preference, or need help choosing?
   • What's the rough scope? (jam game, small project, large project)
2. Based on their answers, offer two paths:
   • Formalize first: Run /brainstorm to structure the concept into a proper game concept document with pillars, MDA analysis, and scope tiers
   • Jump to engine setup: If they're confident in their concept, go straight to /setup-engine and write the GDD manually afterward
3. Show the recommended path (adapted to their choice):
   • /brainstorm or /setup-engine (their pick)
   • /design-review — validate the concept doc
   • /map-systems — decompose the concept into individual systems with dependencies and priorities
   • /design-system — author per-system GDDs (guided, section-by-section)
   • /architecture-decision — make first technical decisions
   • /sprint-plan — plan the first sprint

If D: Existing work

The user has artifacts already. Figure out what exists and what's missing.

1. Share what you found in Step 1 (now it's relevant):
   • "I can see you have [X source files / Y design docs / Z prototypes]..."
   • "Your engine is [configured as X / not yet configured]..."
2. Recommend running /project-stage-detect for a full analysis
3. If the engine isn't configured, note that /setup-engine should come first
4. Show the recommended path:
   • /project-stage-detect — full gap analysis
   • /setup-engine — if not configured
   • /design-system — if systems index exists but GDDs are incomplete
   • /gate-check — validate readiness for next phase
   • /sprint-plan — organize the work

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4. Confirm Before Proceeding

After presenting the recommended path, ask the user which step they'd like to take first. Never auto-run the next skill.

"Would you like to start with [recommended first step], or would you prefer to do something else first?"

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5. Hand Off

When the user chooses their next step, let them invoke the skill themselves or offer to run it for them. Either way, the /start skill's job is done once the user has a clear next action.

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Edge Cases

• User picks D but project is empty: Gently redirect — "It looks like the project is a fresh template with no artifacts yet. Would Path A or B be a better fit?"
• User picks A but project has code: Mention what you found — "I noticed there's already code in src/. Did you mean to pick D (existing work)? Or would you like to start fresh with a new concept?"
• User is returning (engine configured, concept exists): Skip onboarding entirely — "It looks like you're already set up! Your engine is [X] and you have a game concept at design/gdd/game-concept.md. Want to pick up where you left off? Try /sprint-plan or just tell me what you'd like to work on."
• User doesn't fit any option: Let them describe their situation in their own words and adapt. The 4 options are starting points, not a prison.

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Collaborative Protocol

This skill follows the collaborative design principle:

1. Ask first — never assume the user's state or intent
2. Present options — give clear paths, not mandates
3. User decides — they pick the direction
4. No auto-execution — recommend the next skill, don't run it without asking
5. Adapt — if the user's situation doesn't fit a template, listen and adjust