---
title: AI-DLC Quick Start
description: Get up and running with AI-DLC flow in minutes
slug: agents/quick-start
---

:::warning
**Alpha Version**: specs.md does not yet fully support brownfield applications as defined in the AI-DLC process. Currently, it relies on the underlying LLM model's capabilities for existing codebase analysis. Full brownfield support is coming soon.
:::

## Prerequisites

- Node.js 18+ installed
- An AI coding tool (Claude Code, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, etc.)
- A project to work on (greenfield recommended for AI-DLC)

## Installation

1. **Install specs.md**

    ```bash
    npx specsmd@latest install
    ```

2. **Select AI-DLC flow**

    When prompted, select **AI-DLC** as your development flow:
    ```
    ? Select a development flow:
    ❯ AI-DLC - Full methodology with DDD
      FIRE - Adaptive execution, brownfield & monorepo ready
      Simple - Spec generation only
    ```

3. **Choose your AI tool**

    Select your preferred AI coding tool for agent configuration

## Initialize Your Project

Open your AI coding tool and start the Master Agent:

**Claude Code**

```bash
/specsmd-master-agent
```

**Cursor**

```
/specsmd-master-agent
```
Or use the `@` prefix:
```
@specsmd-master-agent
```

**GitHub Copilot**

```bash
/specsmd-master-agent
```

Then type:

```
project-init
```

This guides you through establishing:

1. **Tech Stack**

    Languages, frameworks, databases, infrastructure

2. **Coding Standards**

    Formatting, linting, naming, testing strategy

3. **System Architecture**

    Architecture style, API design, state management

4. **UX Guide (Optional)**

    Design system, styling, accessibility

5. **API Conventions (Optional)**

    API style, versioning, response formats

## Create Your First Intent

An **Intent** is your high-level goal:

- "User authentication system"
- "Product catalog with search"
- "Payment processing integration"

```bash
/specsmd-inception-agent intent-create
```

The agent will:

1. Ask clarifying questions to minimize ambiguity
2. Elaborate into user stories and NFRs
3. Define system context
4. Decompose into loosely-coupled units

## Plan and Execute Bolts

```bash
# Plan bolts for your stories
/specsmd-inception-agent bolt-plan

# Execute a bolt
/specsmd-construction-agent bolt-start
```

Each bolt goes through validated stages:

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="1. Domain Model" icon="workflow">
    Model business logic using DDD principles
  </Card>
  <Card title="2. Technical Design" icon="drafting-compass">
    Apply patterns and make architecture decisions
  </Card>
  <Card title="3. ADR Analysis" icon="file-text">
    Document significant decisions (optional)
  </Card>
  <Card title="4. Implement" icon="code">
    Generate production code
  </Card>
  <Card title="5. Test" icon="flask-conical">
    Verify correctness with automated tests
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

:::warning
Human validation happens at each checkpoint. This ensures errors are caught early before cascading downstream.
:::

## Project Structure After Init

```
memory-bank/                   # Created after project-init
├── intents/                   # Your captured intents
│   └── {intent-name}/
│       ├── requirements.md
│       ├── system-context.md
│       └── units/
├── bolts/                     # Bolt execution records
├── standards/                 # Project standards
│   ├── tech-stack.md
│   ├── coding-standards.md
│   └── ...
└── operations/                # Deployment context
```

## Command Reference

| Agent | Command | Purpose |
|-------|---------|---------|
| **Master** | `project-init` | Initialize project with standards |
| **Master** | `analyze-context` | View current project state |
| **Inception** | `intent-create` | Create a new intent |
| **Inception** | `bolt-plan` | Plan bolts for stories |
| **Construction** | `bolt-start` | Start/continue executing a bolt |
| **Construction** | `bolt-status` | Check bolt progress |
| **Operations** | `deploy` | Deploy to environment |

## Troubleshooting

<Accordion>
  <AccordionItem title="Agent doesn't remember context">
    Agents are stateless—they read artifacts from Memory Bank at startup. Ensure artifacts are saved after each step.
  </AccordionItem>
  <AccordionItem title="Bolt stuck in stage">
    Run `bolt-status` to check current stage. If validation failed, address the feedback and continue with `bolt-start`.
  </AccordionItem>
  <AccordionItem title="Want to restart a bolt">
    Bolts can be replanned with `/specsmd-inception-agent bolt-replan`. This creates a new bolt for the same stories.
  </AccordionItem>
  <AccordionItem title="Multiple intents exist">
    Run `/specsmd-master-agent analyze-context` to see all intents and their status.
  </AccordionItem>
</Accordion>

## Next Steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card
    title="AI-DLC Overview"
    icon="book"
    href="/aidlc/overview"
  >
    Understand the full AI-DLC methodology
  </Card>
  <Card
    title="Core Concepts"
    icon="box"
    href="/core-concepts/intents"
  >
    Deep dive into Intents, Units, and Bolts
  </Card>
  <Card
    title="Agents"
    icon="bot"
    href="/agents/overview"
  >
    Learn about the four specialized agents
  </Card>
  <Card
    title="Bolt Types"
    icon="hammer"
    href="/guides/bolt-types"
  >
    Choose between DDD and Simple bolts
  </Card>
</CardGroup>