Getting started

AmbyKit runs as a CLI (ambykit) and as slash commands inside your AI coding assistant. This gets you from zero to your first artifact — a project constitution — in a few minutes.

1. Install the CLI.

   npm install -g @ambystech/ambykit
   # or run without installing:
   npx @ambystech/ambykit init

2. Initialize your project. Pick the assistants you use; AmbyKit emits their native command files and a shared AGENTS.md.

   ambykit init --tools=claude,cursor

   Already have a project? init is non-destructive — an existing CLAUDE.md/AGENTS.md is preserved and backed up to .amby/backups/; AmbyKit adds/updates only its own ### AmbyKit usage section. Re-run ambykit sync to keep it current, ambykit restore to roll a file back, and add .amby/backups/ to your .gitignore.

3. Create the constitution. In your assistant, run the first phase — durable principles every later phase honors.

   /amby.constitution

   That writes .amby/constitution.md — your first artifact. 🎉

4. Start a feature. Turn an idea into a spec, then walk the workflow:

   /amby.specify Add a password reset flow

From here, follow the workflow — specify → clarify → revise → design → plan → tasks → analyze → implement — each phase producing a reviewable artifact before the next.

Keep the CLI and your generated prompts current with ambykit update, and diagnose a setup with ambykit check.