Documentation Index
Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.trytrellis.app/llms.txt
Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
What is Trellis?
AI’s capabilities grow like vines: full of vitality but spreading everywhere. Trellis is scaffolding for AI, guiding it along the path of your conventions. Supported platforms: Claude Code, Cursor, OpenCode, Codex, Kiro, Kilo, Gemini CLI, Antigravity, Windsurf, Qoder, CodeBuddy, GitHub Copilot, Droid, Pi Agent, plus any agent that reads the.agents/skills/ standard (Amp, Cline, Deep Agents, Firebender, Kimi Code CLI, Warp, and more).
One-Line Summary
Trellis is training wheels for AI coding assistants. It automatically injects your project specs into every AI session, so the AI writes code following your standards instead of improvising.AI’s capabilities grow like vines, full of vitality but spreading everywhere. Trellis is scaffolding for AI, guiding it along the path of your conventions.
Comparison with Traditional Approaches
| Dimension | .cursorrules | CLAUDE.md | Skills | Trellis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spec injection method | Manually loaded each conversation | Auto-loaded but easily truncated | User-initiated | Auto-injection (hooks on capable platforms, prelude on others), precisely loaded per task |
| Spec granularity | One large file | One large file | One per Skill | Modular files, composed per task |
| Cross-session memory | None | None | None | Workspace journal persistence |
| Workflow enforcement | None | None | None | Auto-trigger skills + check sub-agent verify loop |
| Team sharing | Single user | Single user | Shareable but no standard | Git-versioned Spec library |
| Platform support | Cursor only | Claude Code only | Per platform | 14 configured platforms + shared skill ecosystem |
Core Concepts at a Glance
| Concept | Description | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Spec | Your coding standards, written in Markdown. AI reads specs before writing code | .trellis/spec/ |
| Workspace | Each developer’s session logs, letting AI remember what was done last time | .trellis/workspace/ |
| Task | A work unit containing requirements docs and context configuration | .trellis/tasks/ |
| Skill | Auto-triggered workflow modules: brainstorm, before-dev, check, update-spec, break-loop | platform-specific skills dir |
| Sub-agent | Specialized AI sub-process: trellis-research, trellis-implement, trellis-check | platform-specific agents dir |
| Command | Explicit session entries: finish-work, continue, and manual start where needed | platform-specific commands dir |
| Hook | Auto-triggered scripts that inject context at session start, sub-agent launch, etc. (platforms with hook support) | .claude/hooks/, etc. |
| Journal | Session log files recording what was done in each development session | .trellis/workspace/{name}/journal-N.md |
Why Trellis?
| Feature | Problem Solved |
|---|---|
| Auto-Injection | Required specs and workflows auto-inject into every conversation. Write once, apply forever |
| Auto-updated Spec Library | Best practices live in auto-updated spec files. The more you use it, the better it gets |
| Skill-first Workflow | Most operations are auto-trigger skills. AI picks the right one without manual commands |
| Team Sync | Share specs across your team. One person’s best practice benefits everyone |
| Session Persistence | Work traces persist in your repo. AI remembers project context across sessions |
Quick Start
Install Trellis and set up your first project in 5 minutes.
Architecture
Understand specs, tasks, hooks, and workspaces.
Commands & Skills
Reference for slash commands (
/start, /finish-work) and auto-trigger skills.Writing Specs
Turn blank templates into executable contracts with
trellis-update-spec.