git:20260804.827bbba to git:20260807.5810123

---

name: trellis-start

description: "Initializes an AI development session by reading workflow guides, developer identity, git status, active tasks, and project guidelines from .trellis/. Classifies incoming tasks and routes to brainstorm, direct edit, or task workflow. Use when beginning a new coding session, resuming work, starting a new task, or re-establishing project context."

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# Start Session

Initialize a Trellis-managed development session. This platform has no session-start hook, so manually load the equivalent compact context by following these steps.

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## Step 1: Current state

Identity, git status, current task, active tasks, journal location.

```bash

```

If this output includes a line beginning `Trellis update available:`, copy the full line verbatim when summarizing session context. Do not shorten operational command hints.

## Step 2: Workflow overview

Compact Phase Index, request triage rules, planning artifact contract, and the step-detail command.

```bash

```

Full guide in `.trellis/workflow.md` (read on demand).

## Step 3: Guideline indexes

Discover packages + spec layers, then read each relevant index file.

```bash

cat .trellis/spec/guides/index.md

cat .trellis/spec/<package>/<layer>/index.md # for each relevant layer

```

Index files list the specific guideline docs to read when you actually start coding.

## Step 4: Decide next action

From Step 1 you know the current task and status. Check the task directory:

- **Active task status `planning` + no `prd.md`** → Phase 1.1. Load the `trellis-brainstorm` skill.

- **Active task status `planning` + `prd.md` exists** → stay in Phase 1. Lightweight tasks can be PRD-only; complex tasks need `design.md` + `implement.md`. Load the relevant Phase 1 step detail before `task.py start`.

- **Active task status `in_progress`** → Phase 2 step 2.1. Load the step detail:

```bash

```

- **No active task** → classify first. For simple conversation / small task, ask only whether this turn should create a Trellis task. For complex work, ask whether you may create a Trellis task and enter planning. If the user says no, skip Trellis for this session.

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## Skill routing (quick reference)

Full rules + anti-rationalization table in `.trellis/workflow.md`.