> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.getgaal.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# gaal init

> Bootstrap a gaal.yaml interactively or from flags.

```bash theme={"theme":"nord"}
gaal init [flags]
```

Creates a new `gaal.yaml`. Interactively asks how to populate it (import detected skills/MCPs, or start from a documented empty skeleton) and which scope to write to.

## Flags

| Flag                        | Default  | Description                                           |
| --------------------------- | -------- | ----------------------------------------------------- |
| `-f`, `--force`             | off      | Overwrite an existing config file.                    |
| `--scope <project\|global>` | (prompt) | Pre-select the scope without prompting.               |
| `--import-all`              | off      | Non-interactive: import every detected skill and MCP. |
| `--empty`                   | off      | Non-interactive: write the documented empty skeleton. |

`--empty` and `--import-all` are mutually exclusive. When stdin is not a TTY, exactly one of them must be set.

## Behaviour

* **With a TTY and no flags**, runs the interactive wizard.
* **Without a TTY**, requires either `--empty` or `--import-all`, plus `--scope`.

## Scopes

| Scope     | Output path                                                           |
| --------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `project` | `./gaal.yaml`                                                         |
| `global`  | `~/.config/gaal/config.yaml` (or `$XDG_CONFIG_HOME/gaal/config.yaml`) |

## Examples

```bash theme={"theme":"nord"}
# Interactive, the most common case
gaal init

# Empty annotated skeleton, project scope
gaal init --empty --scope project

# Import everything detected, global scope
gaal init --import-all --scope global

# Overwrite existing file with an import
gaal init --import-all --scope project --force
```

## Sample interactive session

```text theme={"theme":"nord"}
$ gaal init
? How should we create your gaal.yaml?
  ▸ Import everything detected on this machine
    Start from an empty documented skeleton

? Where should this configuration apply?
  ▸ Project (./gaal.yaml)
    Global (~/.config/gaal/config.yaml)

? Select skills to import (Space to toggle, Enter to confirm)
  [x] code-review (claude-code, project)
  [x] test-writer (cursor, project)
  [x] git-helper (claude-code, global)

? Select MCP servers to import
  [x] filesystem  → ~/.claude.json
  [x] git         → ~/.claude.json

✓ wrote ./gaal.yaml (12 skills, 2 mcps)
```

## Related

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Quickstart" icon="rocket" href="/quickstart" />

  <Card title="First-time setup" icon="play" href="/workflows/first-time-setup" />

  <Card title="gaal audit" icon="magnifying-glass" href="/cli/audit" />
</CardGroup>