phren-init

phren-init - Scaffold a new project

Set up a new project in phren with summary, CLAUDE.md, task, and skill templates.

Add a new project to your phren instance, or bootstrap phren itself if you're starting fresh.

Usage

phren-init my-new-project    # scaffold a specific project
phren-init                   # list existing projects, suggest unconfigured ones

First: find or create the phren directory

PHREN_DIR="${PHREN_DIR:-$HOME/.phren}"
ls "$PHREN_DIR" 2>/dev/null

If the phren directory doesn't exist, offer to create it:

"No phren repo found. Want me to create one at ~/.phren? This will set up the base directory structure (global/, profiles/, machines.yaml)."

If the user says yes, create the base structure:

mkdir -p "$PHREN_DIR"/{global/skills,profiles}
# Create a starter machines.yaml
# Create a starter profile

Then continue with the project scaffolding below.

With a project name

1. Check it doesn't already exist

ls "$PHREN_DIR/<project-name>/" 2>/dev/null

If it exists, tell the user and ask if they want to reset it or just update specific files.

2. Create the project directory

mkdir -p "$PHREN_DIR/<project-name>/skills"

3. Create summary.md

This is the project's identity card. Five lines, no more.

# <project-name>

What: <one sentence about what this project does>
Stack: <languages, frameworks, key deps>
Status: <active / maintenance / new / archived>
Run: <the main command to start it, e.g. "npm run dev">
Watch out: <the one thing that trips people up>

Ask the user for these if you can't figure them out from the project directory. If the project directory exists on disk (e.g. ~/<project-name>/), read its package.json, pyproject.toml, README, or similar to pre-fill.

4. Create CLAUDE.md

# <project-name>

<One paragraph: what this project is and what it does.>

## Commands

Architecture

Conventions