Initialize Cogitation

First-time setup for a project. Creates the foundation for memory-enhanced workflows.

Announce: "I'm using the init skill to set up cogitation for this project."

The Flow

Verify EC → Check Existing → Scaffold → Configure → Store

Step 1: Verify EC Connection

Test that Engram Cogitator is running:

ec_search: test connection

If EC unavailable: Stop. Cogitation requires EC.

"EC connection failed. Please ensure engram-cogitator is running. See: https://github.com/MereWhiplash/engram-cogitator"

Step 2: Check for Existing Context

Search for prior initialization:

ec_search: project config
ec_search: cogitation initialized

If found: Ask before reinitializing.

{
  "questions": [{
    "question": "This project already has cogitation context. What would you like to do?",
    "header": "Existing",
    "options": [
      { "label": "Keep existing", "description": "Exit without changes" },
      { "label": "Reconfigure", "description": "Update settings, keep memories" },
      { "label": "Fresh start", "description": "Clear all and reinitialize" }
    ],
    "multiSelect": false
  }]
}

Step 3: Scaffold Directories

Create standard directories if they don't exist:

mkdir -p docs/designs docs/plans

Step 4: Detect Project Stack

Analyze the project to suggest defaults:

ls -la

Look for:

• package.json → Node/npm/pnpm/bun
• go.mod → Go
• Cargo.toml → Rust
• pyproject.toml / requirements.txt → Python
• Makefile → Make-based

Step 5: Configure Commands

Use AskUserQuestion to confirm/customize commands:

{
  "questions": [
    {
      "question": "What command runs your tests?",
      "header": "Test",
      "options": [
        { "label": "[detected]", "description": "Based on project files" },
        { "label": "pnpm test", "description": "pnpm package manager" },
        { "label": "npm test", "description": "npm package manager" },
        { "label": "go test ./...", "description": "Go testing" }
      ],
      "multiSelect": false
    },
    {
      "question": "What command checks types/lints?",
      "header": "Lint",
      "options": [
        { "label": "[detected]", "description": "Based on project files" },
        { "label": "pnpm lint", "description": "ESLint via pnpm" },
        { "label": "go vet ./...", "description": "Go vet" },
        { "label": "None", "description": "Skip linting" }
      ],
      "multiSelect": false
    },
    {
      "question": "What command builds the project?",
      "header": "Build",
      "options": [
        { "label": "[detected]", "description": "Based on project files" },
        { "label": "pnpm build", "description": "Build via pnpm" },
        { "label": "go build ./...", "description": "Go build" },
        { "label": "None", "description": "No build step" }
      ],
      "multiSelect": false
    }
  ]
}

Step 6: Configure Branching

{
  "questions": [{
    "question": "What branching convention do you use?",
    "header": "Branches",
    "options": [
      { "label": "feat/fix/chore", "description": "feat/<name>, fix/<name>, chore/<name>" },
      { "label": "feature/bugfix", "description": "feature/<name>, bugfix/<name>" },
      { "label": "Flat", "description": "Just descriptive names" }
    ],
    "multiSelect": false
  }]
}

Step 7: Store Configuration

Store the project configuration in EC:

ec_add:
  type: config
  area: project
  content: |
    test_command: <user choice>
    lint_command: <user choice>
    build_command: <user choice>
    branch_convention: <user choice>
  rationale: Project configuration for cogitation workflows

Mark initialization complete:

ec_add:
  type: pattern
  area: project
  content: Cogitation initialized for this project
  rationale: Marker for init detection

Step 8: Summary

Present what was set up:

Cogitation initialized

• Test: <command>
• Lint: <command>
• Build: <command>
• Branches: <convention>

Directories created: docs/designs/, docs/plans/

Ready to use cogitation skills. Try @brainstorming to start a feature.

Handoff

Suggest next steps based on context:

• New feature idea → Use @brainstorming
• Existing bug → Use @debugging
• Want to understand workflows → List available skills