govctl-org / init
Set up govctl in the current project with explicit installation and overwrite authorization
Initialize Govctl
Create a valid governance scaffold and point the user to the right workflow for
their next task. Setup creates no product behavior or governance history.
Discovery
Check for gov/config.toml, a usable govctl, and existing local agent assets.
Use govctl init --help, govctl agent --help, andgovctl init-skills --help for current options and overwrite behavior. agent doctor|install|update manage user-scoped runtime
integration; init-skills writes project-local or custom-directory copies.
Hard Stops
- Create no Work Items, code, RFCs, or ADRs.
Get explicit approval before installing a binary, using any
--force, or
runningagent installoragent update.- Never use
init --forceto repair an existing project. Before
init-skills, resolve the destination, check its existing ancestors
for symlinks, and check whether it stays inside the project root. Confirm any
replacement of existing skills or agents.If the resolved target is outside the project root or behind a symlinked
ancestor, show it and get separate approval.- Do not edit governed files directly;
govctl initowns the scaffold. - Hand VCS work to
commit.
Setup
If govctl is missing, ask before installing it; if Rust tooling is also
missing, stop and name the dependency.
Run govctl init only when gov/config.toml is absent; otherwise inspectgovctl status. Outdated schemas go to govctl migrate; invalid artifacts go
to their owning workflows.
For runtime integration, run agent doctor first, report failures instead of
substituting manual commands, and tell the user to start a new session after
success. The installed hook is silent outside governed projects, and its
direct-edit guidance is advisory: use the CLI when it supports a change,
otherwise edit directly and run govctl check.
Local skills and agents are optional; install them only on request, default to
a non-symlinked destination inside the project, and keep existing assets
unless replacement was approved.
Done When
- the scaffold exists and
govctl statusreads it; - diagnostics show no unresolved failure;
- the report separates files created, skipped, and replaced; and
- the user is pointed to
discuss,spec,gov,quick, ormigrate.