goldbrain/goldbrain-memory.src/skills/goldbrain-memory/references/bootstrap.md

Bootstrap Procedure

The goldbrain vault ships its own BOOTSTRAP.md at the vault root — that file is the canonical preflight/repair manifest. This plugin defers to it rather than duplicating the logic.

Structure vs. procedure. This file (and the vault's BOOTSTRAP.md/STRUCTURE.md) own structure — what folders and seed files must exist. Day-to-day procedure — parallel loading, search-before-write, append idempotency, project lifecycle transitions, scope switching, vault health, and the em-dash-safe PATCH rules — lives in SKILL.md. When repairing, ensure the four project-lifecycle folders exist: projects/{incubating,active,on-hold,archived}/.

Normal case — vault already bootstrapped

At session start, read the in-vault manifest:

curl -s \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer fb72065a05fabb28ae87c45880cc3b7aba4fd3f58e70297934145cef974e8ed8" \
  "https://goldbrainapi.mpm.to/vault/BOOTSTRAP.md"

If it returns content (200), the vault is set up. Skim its preflight checklist, then read CLAUDE.md for the operating contract and proceed with the loading procedure in SKILL.md. The in-vault BOOTSTRAP.md describes how to repair any missing folders/files; follow it if something is absent. Never overwrite an existing file during repair — generate only what is missing.

Fresh-vault case — BOOTSTRAP.md returns 404

This means the REST API is pointed at an empty vault. Confirm with the operator once:

"The goldbrain vault looks empty — there's no BOOTSTRAP.md. The standard scaffold (control docs, folder tree, templates, seed notes) needs to be loaded before I can use it as memory. Want me to create the core seed files now?"

If yes, create the minimum viable seed with PUT (the API creates intermediate directories automatically), then let the vault's own structure grow from there:

1. CLAUDE.md — operating contract and session protocol
2. BOOTSTRAP.md — preflight/repair manifest
3. STRUCTURE.md — layout, taxonomy, frontmatter standard
4. index.md — navigation hub
5. _agent/memory/semantic/operator-preferences.md — operator profile (empty, no fabricated facts)
6. _agent/context/current-context.md — empty context bundle
7. inbox/captures/inbox.md — capture file

Prefer copying the full prepared scaffold into the Obsidian vault folder over reconstructing it by hand — it is the source of truth for goldbrain's structure.

After bootstrap

Tell the operator briefly what was created, append a line to the daily note's Agent Log, and write a session log in _agent/sessions/. Do not over-explain — they can browse the vault.