StarterApp Docs
Installation

AI Onboarding

Automated setup with AI guidance from environment detection to MVP deployment.

The AI onboarding flow automates the entire installation process through the /initialize command. The assistant detects the operating system, installs required tooling, configures environment variables, and captures the MVP brief that powers the first set of Project Requirement Plans (PRPs).

Prerequisites

AI agent with file system access (Claude Code, Cursor, Windsurf, or similar) and internet connectivity for package downloads. The agent reads llms/commands/initialize.md and executes each step interactively.

Starting the Onboarding

Instruct the AI agent to execute the initialization command:

AI Agent Instruction
Read and execute llms/commands/initialize.md

The agent reads llms/CORE.md for context, then begins the setup workflow.

Onboarding Workflow

The initialization process now flows through eight streamlined phases:

Environment Detection – Identify macOS, Linux, or WSL2. Native Windows users are paused until WSL2 + Ubuntu is installed.

Toolchain Bootstrap – Verify Git, Node.js ≥ 20.18.1, and pnpm. Install missing dependencies, initialise git, and create a working branch.

Dependency Install – Run pnpm install. If it fails, apply the automated recovery path (pnpm store prune, remove node_modules, retry) and narrate the fix.

Environment Configuration – Copy .env.example.env.local, pause for the user to fill secrets, add safe placeholders if required, then sync with pnpm convex:env.

Launch Apps – Start pnpm dev:auto, wait for the READY banner, and verify marketing (:3000) and dashboard (:3001) are online.

Capture the Brief – Gather name, one-liner, audience, value prop, MVP must-haves, and visual vibe. Persist the answers in features/INITIAL_APP_FEATURE.md and features/INITIAL_REBRAND.md.

Generate PRPs – Re-run /prime, call /generate-prp for the feature and rebrand briefs, and stop for user approval before any execution.

Execute & Wrap Up – With explicit consent, run /execute-prp for each plan, validate (pnpm validate), and deliver a closing summary.

Stop Points

The initialization process includes deliberate pause points requiring user confirmation:

Generated Artifacts

The onboarding process creates structured documentation:

  • features/INITIAL_APP_FEATURE.md – Product brief, target audience, value proposition, and MVP features captured during onboarding
  • features/INITIAL_REBRAND.md – Visual direction, styling preferences, brand tone, and palette decisions
  • Generated PRPs – Project Requirement Plans for feature work and rebranding, ready to execute once approved

Platform-Specific Behavior

WSL2 Required for Windows

Native Windows environments are not supported. The agent stops and provides WSL2 installation instructions before proceeding with setup.

Safety and Idempotency

The initialization process includes safety mechanisms:

  • Secrets are never printed to stdout or logs
  • File overwrites require explicit user confirmation
  • Each step detects completion status and skips if already done
  • Failed steps provide diagnostic information and recovery options
  • Version checks ensure Node.js ≥20.18.1 before proceeding

Development Commands

After onboarding completes, the standard development workflow:

Post-Installation Commands
# Applications run automatically after first boot
# Marketing: http://localhost:3000
# Dashboard: http://localhost:3001

# Restart development servers
pnpm dev

# Run validation checks
pnpm validate

# Execute tests
pnpm test

Manual Setup Alternative

For developers preferring manual installation: