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

# profclaw init

> Initialize a new profClaw project directory with default configuration files.

## Synopsis

```bash theme={null}
profclaw init [directory] [flags]
```

## Description

`init` creates the directory structure and default configuration files needed to run profClaw. It is a lightweight alternative to `profclaw onboard` for cases where you want to manage configuration manually or integrate with an existing setup script.

For a guided first-time setup with environment detection, AI provider configuration, and admin account creation, use [`profclaw onboard`](/cli/onboard) instead.

## Arguments

<ParamField query="directory" type="string" default=".">
  Directory to initialize. Defaults to the current directory. Created if it does not exist.
</ParamField>

## Flags

<ParamField query="--mode" type="string" default="mini">
  Deployment mode to write into the generated config: `pico`, `mini`, or `pro`.
</ParamField>

<ParamField query="--force" type="boolean">
  Overwrite existing configuration files. By default, `init` skips files that already exist.
</ParamField>

<ParamField query="--no-env" type="boolean">
  Skip creating the `.env` template file.
</ParamField>

## Files Created

```
config/
  settings.yml    # Core server configuration
  agents.yml      # Agent configuration
  cron.yml        # Scheduled jobs (empty)
  pricing.yml     # Model pricing overrides
skills/           # Skills directory (empty)
data/             # Database directory (empty, created on first run)
.env.example      # Environment variable template
```

## Examples

<CodeGroup>
  ```bash Initialize current directory theme={null}
  profclaw init
  ```

  ```bash Initialize in pico mode theme={null}
  profclaw init --mode pico
  ```

  ```bash Initialize a new project directory theme={null}
  profclaw init ./my-profclaw
  ```

  ```bash Re-initialize and overwrite existing files theme={null}
  profclaw init --force
  ```

  ```bash Initialize without .env template theme={null}
  profclaw init --no-env
  ```
</CodeGroup>

## After Initializing

```bash theme={null}
# Copy and edit the env template
cp .env.example .env
# Add your API keys and configuration

# Run the interactive setup wizard
profclaw onboard

# Or start directly if already configured
profclaw serve
```

## Related

* [`profclaw onboard`](/cli/onboard) - Guided setup wizard (recommended for first-time setup)
* [`profclaw serve`](/cli/serve) - Start the server
* [`profclaw doctor`](/cli/doctor) - Verify environment after init
* [Configuration Reference](/configuration) - All settings documentation