One-time interactive setup for the Minions knowledge vault (Obsidian-compatible). Creates the full directory structure, indexes, conventions, and initial config. USE when: init, setup, onboard, first time, create vault, initialize brain, set up knowledge base, minions setup, /minions-init. Do NOT use if vault already exists and is healthy.
One-time bootstrap for the Minions knowledge vault. Creates directories, indexes, conventions, and config. Fully autonomous except for two interactive questions.
SKILL_DIR = <directory containing this SKILL.md>
SHARED_DIR = {SKILL_DIR}/../_shared
CONVENTIONS = {SHARED_DIR}/vault-conventions.md
TEMPLATE = {SKILL_DIR}/references/entity-template.md
Resolve all paths at the start. If _shared/vault-conventions.md is missing, abort with a clear error.
Check if this is a first-time setup or a repair scenario.
If user provided a path argument:
BRAIN_DIR = <user-provided path>
Skip to Step 2
If state.json exists at ~/brain/_Meta/state.json:
→ Vault already exists.
→ Ask user: "Vault found at ~/brain. Repair missing structure, or start fresh at a new path?"
- "repair" → Run Step 3 in repair mode (create only missing dirs/files, skip existing)
- new path → Use that path as BRAIN_DIR, proceed normally
→ Do NOT silently overwrite.
Otherwise:
→ Fresh install. Proceed to Step 1.
PAUSE here. Ask the user.
Where should your brain vault live?
Default: ~/brain
Press Enter for default, or type a custom path:
Set BRAIN_DIR to the user's answer (expand ~). Validate the parent directory exists. If it does not, create it.
PAUSE here. Ask the user.
Which knowledge domains do you want to track?
Suggested: general, work, coding, health, relationships
Enter comma-separated domains (or press Enter for all suggested):
Store the list as DOMAINS. Minimum 1 domain required. Default: all five suggested.
CRITICAL: Create every directory. Do not skip any.
mkdir -p {BRAIN_DIR}/People
mkdir -p {BRAIN_DIR}/Organizations
mkdir -p {BRAIN_DIR}/Projects
mkdir -p {BRAIN_DIR}/Technologies
mkdir -p {BRAIN_DIR}/Concepts
mkdir -p {BRAIN_DIR}/Places
mkdir -p {BRAIN_DIR}/Events
mkdir -p {BRAIN_DIR}/Sources
mkdir -p {BRAIN_DIR}/Sources/papers
mkdir -p {BRAIN_DIR}/Sources/books
mkdir -p {BRAIN_DIR}/Sources/articles
mkdir -p {BRAIN_DIR}/_Inbox
mkdir -p {BRAIN_DIR}/_Learnings
mkdir -p {BRAIN_DIR}/_Learnings/system
mkdir -p {BRAIN_DIR}/_Learnings/domain
mkdir -p {BRAIN_DIR}/_Learnings/process
mkdir -p {BRAIN_DIR}/Journal
mkdir -p {BRAIN_DIR}/Journal/Sessions
mkdir -p {BRAIN_DIR}/_Index
mkdir -p {BRAIN_DIR}/_Meta
mkdir -p {BRAIN_DIR}/_Conventions
In repair mode: check each directory before creating. Log which ones already existed vs. newly created.
Write to {BRAIN_DIR}/_Index/catalog.yaml:
# Minions Entity Catalog
# Auto-managed by /minions-remember and /minions-organize