Initializing Projects

Overview

Initializing projects IS bootstrapping with modern best practices AND agent system.

Don't just create files—set up the full development environment including Claude Code integration.

Core principle: Research current best practices. Don't assume—verify with official docs.

Violating the letter of the rules is violating the spirit of the rules.

Task Initialization (MANDATORY)

Before ANY action, create task list using TaskCreate:

TaskCreate for EACH task below:
- Subject: "[initializing-projects] Task N: <action>"
- ActiveForm: "<doing action>"

Tasks:

1. Gather requirements
2. Research best practices
3. Write blueprint
4. Get user confirmation
5. Bootstrap project
6. Setup agent system
7. Final validation

Announce: "Created 7 tasks. Starting execution..."

Execution rules:

1. TaskUpdate status="in_progress" BEFORE starting each task
2. TaskUpdate status="completed" ONLY after verification passes
3. If task fails → stay in_progress, diagnose, retry
4. NEVER skip to next task until current is completed
5. At end, TaskList to confirm all completed

Task 1: Gather Requirements

Goal: Understand what project to create.

First, ask Project Type:

Project Type	Follow-up Questions
Frontend SPA	Language, Framework, UI Library, Styling, State, Testing
Full-stack App	Above + ORM, Database, API Style, Auth
API Service	Language, Framework, ORM, Validation, Auth
CLI Tool	Language, Package Manager, Testing
Library	Language, Build Tool, Testing, Docs

Ask iteratively. Skip already-answered or N/A questions.

Verification: Have answers to all relevant questions for project type.

Task 2: Research Best Practices

Goal: Find current best practices for the chosen stack.

Use WebSearch to find:

• Latest stable version of framework
• Official CLI/init command
• Recommended project structure
• Current best practices (2025/2026)

CRITICAL: Don't assume. Official docs change frequently.

Verification: Have official init command and current version numbers.

Task 3: Write Blueprint

Goal: Create a blueprint document for user review.

Write to: /docs/blueprint.md

Blueprint Format

# Project Blueprint

## Stack
- Language: [name] [version]
- Framework: [name] [version]
- Package manager: [choice]

## Initialization Command
\`\`\`bash
[official CLI command]
\`\`\`

## Project Structure
[Expected directory layout after init]

## Key Dependencies
[Core packages to add]

## Agent System Plan
- CLAUDE.md: [key laws]
- Rules: [planned rules]
- Hooks: [planned quality gates]

Verification: Blueprint is written and covers all sections.

Task 4: Get User Confirmation

Goal: Have user approve the blueprint before execution.

CRITICAL: Do not proceed without explicit user confirmation.

Present:

• Summary of planned stack
• Init command to run
• Agent system components

Ask: "Does this blueprint look correct? Should I proceed?"

Verification: User has explicitly approved the blueprint.

Task 5: Bootstrap Project

Goal: Run the official CLI to create the project.

Process:

1. Run the official init command from blueprint
2. Install additional dependencies if needed
3. Apply any post-init configurations
4. Verify project builds/runs

Example:

npx create-next-app@latest my-app --typescript --tailwind --eslint
cd my-app && npm run dev

Verification: Project builds and runs without errors.

Task 6: Setup Agent System

Goal: Configure Claude Code for the new project.

CRITICAL: Invoke the migrating-agent-systems skill.

This handles:

• Create CLAUDE.md with project-specific laws
• Setup rules for code conventions
• Configure hooks for linting/formatting
• Create useful skills if needed

Verification: Agent system is configured and working.

Task 7: Final Validation

Goal: Verify everything works together.

Checklist:

• Project builds without errors
• Project runs without errors
• CLAUDE.md exists with <law> block
• Hooks run on file changes (if configured)
• README documents the setup

Verification: All checklist items pass.

Project Type Quick Reference

Frontend SPA

npx create-next-app@latest --typescript --tailwind
# or
npm create vite@latest -- --template react-ts

Full-stack App

npx create-next-app@latest --typescript
# Add: prisma, next-auth, zod

API Service

npm init -y && npm install express typescript
# or
cargo new --name api

CLI Tool

npm init -y && npm install commander
# or
cargo new --name cli

Red Flags - STOP

These thoughts mean you're rationalizing. STOP and reconsider:

• "I know the current version"
• "Skip research, I've done this before"
• "Don't need user confirmation"
• "Agent system can wait"
• "Skip validation, it's a fresh project"

All of these mean: You're about to create a weak foundation. Follow the process.

Common Rationalizations

Excuse	Reality
"I know the version"	Versions change monthly. Verify.
"Skip research"	Best practices evolve. Check official docs.
"Skip confirmation"	Blueprint approval prevents wasted effort.
"Agent system later"	Set it up now while context is fresh.
"Fresh = working"	Fresh projects can have config issues. Validate.

Flowchart: Project Initialization

digraph init_project {
    rankdir=TB;

    start [label="New project", shape=doublecircle];
    gather [label="Task 1: Gather\nrequirements", shape=box];
    research [label="Task 2: Research\nbest practices", shape=box];
    blueprint [label="Task 3: Write\nblueprint", shape=box];
    confirm [label="Task 4: User\nconfirmation", shape=box];
    confirmed [label="Approved?", shape=diamond];
    bootstrap [label="Task 5: Bootstrap\nproject", shape=box];
    agent [label="Task 6: Setup\nagent system", shape=box];
    validate [label="Task 7: Final\nvalidation", shape=box];
    valid [label="All\npasses?", shape=diamond];
    done [label="Project ready", shape=doublecircle];

    start -> gather;
    gather -> research;
    research -> blueprint;
    blueprint -> confirm;
    confirm -> confirmed;
    confirmed -> bootstrap [label="yes"];
    confirmed -> blueprint [label="no\nrevise"];
    bootstrap -> agent;
    agent -> validate;
    validate -> valid;
    valid -> done [label="yes"];
    valid -> bootstrap [label="no\nfix"];
}