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Getting Started

Pick the modules you need. New to ACDL? Start with Quick Start -> for the minimum setup, then return here to choose which modules to add.

From your project root:

npx @acdl/cli init

This installs methodology skills/templates directly into your project (.agents/skills/...).

Quick Decision: Which Modules?

Just Starting?

Start with Module 1 — Standard tier.

The minimum useful setup for a side project:

your-project/
├── AGENTS.md              # AI context (~80 lines) — always loaded
└── docs/                  # Reference docs — only the ones your project needs
    └── scripts.md         # Start here: runnable commands
  • Basic tier = AGENTS.md only — fast start, minimum viable context
  • Standard tier = AGENTS.md + docs/ — adds durable reference knowledge
  • Full tier = add .agents/skills/ — for deep patterns you keep re-explaining

For a solo side project, Standard tier is the right default. Add skills only when the AI keeps getting your specific stack patterns wrong.

Go to Module 1: Foundation ->

Building Features?

The feature workflow is included in Module 2 (Dev Workflow).

# What you get:
your-project/
├── AGENTS.md
├── .agents/skills/          # On-demand instruction packages (optional)
├── specs/                   # Feature specifications (ephemeral)
└── docs/

Tell your AI: load skill feature

Go to Module 2: Dev Workflow ->

Managing Multiple Features?

Add Module 3 for project planning.

# What you get:
your-project/
├── AGENTS.md
├── PROJECT-PRD.md   # Project vision
├── BACKLOG.md       # Feature priorities
├── ROADMAP.md       # Phase planning
├── TASKS.md         # Global progress
├── .agents/skills/
├── specs/
└── docs/

Go to Module 3: Project Planning ->

AI-Assisted Bootstrap (Plan Mode First)

Use a two-pass flow for safer setup:

  1. Plan mode - analyze and propose files, commands, and assumptions (no writes)
  2. Apply mode - generate approved files from templates

Use this prompt:

Bootstrap this project with AI Context Docs Lifecycle.
load skill `acdl`

Start in plan mode only. Output:
1) Project type (single app or monorepo)
2) Files to create/update
3) Commands with verified/inferred status + source
4) Assumptions and open questions

Wait for my approval before apply mode.

If your tool cannot load skills by name, replace load skill \acdl`with:.agents/skills/acdl/SKILL.md`

If you are not using the CLI, replace that local path with: https://raw.githubusercontent.com/SergiuSavva/ai-context-docs-lifecycle/main/content/modules/01-foundation/skills/acdl/SKILL.md

Starter

Module 1 — Standard tier (AGENTS.md + docs/)

Best for: Personal projects, prototypes, side projects

Production

Modules 1-2 — Full tier (AGENTS.md + docs/ + .agents/skills/ + feature workflow)

Best for: Production apps with specific tech stack patterns

Enterprise

All modules (1-3)

Best for: Products with roadmaps, multiple teams

Module Overview

# Module Purpose
1 Foundation AGENTS.md bootstrap + reference doc templates
2 Dev Workflow Feature workflow + stack pattern skills
3 Project Planning Multi-feature management (optional)

Next Steps