Better Context (btca) Setup
Set up btca for a project by scanning dependencies, proposing resources, and creating btca.config.jsonc with the approved list. Follow the confirmation steps exactly and update AGENTS.md based on the chosen usage mode.
Step 1: Scan dependencies
- Inspect the project root
package.json(and lockfiles if needed) to identify frameworks, libraries, and tools worth adding as btca resources. - Look for frameworks, backends, styling, tooling, and major libraries.
Step 2: Present the full resource list
- Show the complete list at once.
- Ask the user to confirm additions/removals.
- Use camelCase resource names (no hyphens).
- Wait for confirmation before preparing the config.
Step 3: Prepare the config (do not write yet)
- Draft
btca.config.jsoncwith$schemaand all approved resources. - Use sensible defaults for URL, branch, and searchPath/searchPaths when known.
- Show the full config to the user and ask for approval before writing.
Step 4: Create files after approval
- Create
btca.config.jsoncin the project root. - Add
.btcato.gitignore(create the file if it does not exist).
Step 5: Ask for usage mode
Ask which mode the agent should follow:
- eager: use btca automatically when needed
- ask: ask the user before using btca
- lazy: only use btca when explicitly requested
Wait for the response before editing AGENTS.md.
Step 6: Update AGENTS.md
- If
AGENTS.mdexists, update or add a## btcasection without duplication. - If it does not exist, create it with the btca section.
- Use the template that matches the chosen mode.
- Include the approved resource list and usage examples.
Step 7: Provide a summary
Include:
- Configured resources (name, type, URL/path)
- Config location (absolute path)
- AGENTS.md status and chosen mode
- Example btca commands for this project
- Next steps:
- Resources clone to
~/.local/share/btca/resources/on first use - Use
btca clearto remove cached repos - If using Cursor:
mkdir -p .cursor/rules && curl -fsSL "https://btca.dev/rule" -o .cursor/rules/better_context.mdc && echo "Rule file created."
- Resources clone to
Behavior rules
- Work in batches, not one-by-one.
- Only two confirmations: the resource list, then the prepared config.
- Do not write files before explicit approval.
- Do not add unapproved resources.
- Ask if any required detail (URL, branch, search path) is missing or ambiguous.
